Geography & Climate

Benin is bordered by Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, Burkina Faso to the north-west, Niger to the north-east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The total area measures 114,763 square kilometers; Benin is about 700km long and 120km wide in the South, increasing to 300km wide in the North. It is roughly two-thirds the size of Portugal, or about the same size as the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The terrain of Benin varies greatly between the North and South. The South is a coastal plain with dense vegetation and several lagoons near the coast. The lagoons are created by the flow of the country's three major rivers (the Ou�m�, the Couffo, and the Mono) into the coastal plain's sand bar. The largest lagoon, Lac Nokou�, divides Cotonou and Porto Novo. This lake is also home to Ganvi�, the famous fishing village built on stilts. In the North, the terrain becomes more barren and mountainous. In the far North, the Atakora mountains reach a height of 658 meters. Climate Like the terrain, Benin's climate varies greatly from North to South. The South has a sub-equatorial climate, with 2 dry seasons and 2 rainy seasons (rainy seasons are April-July and October-November). The temperature in the South ranges from about 18-35�C (65-95�F). In the North, the climate is tropical, consisting of one dry season and one rainy season (rainy season from June-October). The temperature varies more in the North, reaching 46�C (115�F) during the hottest part of the year, which is from March to June.

Culture

For many visitors, the rich cultural diversity of Benin's people is one of the country's most interesting attractions. Benin's population of approximately 6.5 million is made up of over twenty different socio-cultural groups, each having a distinct history, language, and traditions. What remains constant among all of Benin's people, however, is friendliness and hospitality. The remarkable openness and warmth with which the people welcome strangers and engage them in conversation allow visitors to experience Beninese culture on a very personal level. Whether bargaining with vendors in the busy Abomey market or visiting the famous "tata somba" homes of the Betamarib� people in the North, some of the most memorable experiences from any visit to Benin will surely come from the local people. The largest socio-cultural groups in the South are the Fon and Yoruba. Over half of Benin's people are Fon, and the Fon language is the predominant local language in most of the South, although there are many slight variations. Goun, for example, is very close to Fon, as the Goun people, who are concentrated in the Southeast, near Porto Novo, are closely related to the Fon. The Adja people make up another group closely related to the Fon; they are concentrated in the Southwest, near the city of the same name. Historically, the Fon were one of the most powerful civilizations in West Africa. It was the Fon who built the kingdom of Dahomey, which dominated much of present-day Benin before colonization by the French. A visit to Abomey is the best way to learn more about the Fon, as Abomey was the capital of the Dahomey kingdom and is still one of the centers of the Fon. There, you can visit Dahomey's palace ruins as well as the Museum of History, which is a United Nations World Heritage site because of its historical and cultural importance. The largest cultural groups in the North are the Bariba, Dendi, and Betamarib� or "Somba" people. The Bariba originated in the northern part of Nigeria and are most concentrated in the northeast region of Benin, around the city of Nikki. While they are mostly farmers and shepherds, the Bariba are especially known for their bright, colorful cloth designs which are woven by the women and used to make traditional clothing. The largest and most notable Bariba celebration is the annual Gaani Feast in Nikki. The Dendi are most concentrated in the northwest of Benin, between Parakou and Natitingou. They are believed to have migrated from the ancient empire of Mali before settling in Benin. They are mostly farmers, and they also breed cattle which they put in the custody of the nomadic Fulani. The Fulani (or Peulh) people are common throughout the North of Benin and are most often seen during the dry season, when they travel with their cattle in search of water. The last main group in the North is the Betamarib� or "Somba" people, who are concentrated in the Atacora mountains in the northwest of Benin. This group is particularly known for the unique architectural style of their "tata somba" houses, which resemble small castles. These houses, along with some of the most beautiful scenery in Benin, can best be viewed in the mountains around Natitingou, Boukoumb�, and Tanguieta.

Government

Although Benin has experienced many changes in government in recent history, it is currently a multiparty democracy. Benin was a colony of France until 1960 and was known as Dahomey until 1975. From 1975 to 1990, the government's ideology was Marxism-Leninism. Following a National Conference in 1990, however, Benin adopted a new constitution and formed a new government based on democratic principles. The new constitution was founded on the determination of the people of Benin to create a pluralistic system which guarantees dignity and justice for all citizens. Protection of these principles is necessary to sustain the important spiritual and cultural harmony among all of Benin's people. The president is elected by popular vote every five years. The most recent presidential election was held in March 2001; the next election is to be held in March 2006. map/

Representations

German Embassy B.P. 504 Boulevard de France Tel. 31.54.51

Chinese Embassy Chancellerie Boulevard Marina Tel. 30.07.65

Cuban Embassy Face H�tel du Port Tel. 31.52.97

Danish Embassy 04 B.P. 1223 Les Cocotiers C/08 Tel. 30.38.62

Egyptian Embassy B.P. 1215 Route de l'A�roport C/26 Tel. 30.08.42

American Embassy USA ZR C/125 B.P. 2012 Tel.30.06.50 - Chancellery for the American Embassy; Face Camp Guezo B.P. 2012; tel.30.23.67 - American Cultural Center; B.P. 2012 ZR C/113; tel. 30.03.12 - USAID; B.P. 2012 ZONGO EHUZU C/00563-D; 30.05.00

French Embassy Tel. 30.02.25 - French Cultural Center; B.P. 416; Tel. 30.08.56 - Mission of Cooperation Cultural Action Tel. 31.14.65 - Paierie of France Tel. 31.26.27 - French developmental funds Tel.31.34.53

Ghanaian Embassy B.P. 488; 30.07.46 -Diplomatic Mission Tel30.03.45

Libyan Embassy B.P. 405 C/36; 30.04.52 -Libyan Cultural Center; tel. 31.31.80

Embassy of Niger B.P. 352 Tel.31.56.65

Nigerian Embassy B.P. 2019 ZR C/112 Tel. 30.11.42

Dutch Embassy Tel. 30.41.50

Russian Embassy B.P. 920 Les Cocotiers C/H10 Tel. 31.28.34

Embassy of Chad 08 B.P. 359 Ayelawadje C/323 Tel. 33.06.10 Consulates

Belgian Consulate Tel. 30.18.75

French Consulate Tel.31.26.38

Greek Consulate B.P. 8116 Patte d'Oie C/130 Tel. 31.29.91

Dutch Consulate B.P. 296 Tel. 31.29.91

Swiss Consulate 08 B.P. 0123 C/H-5 Tel. 32.07.02 - Medical-Sanitary Beninese-Swiss Program (IUED); 08 B.P.0792 Haie Vive C/1151; Tel. 30.16.83

Organizations

Base - Oua (PO2) Pole Occidental 2 01 B.P. 2906 Tokplegbe C/05146 P Tel.33.39.35

World Bank Mission Bureau ZR C/T 2842 Tel. 31.21.24

Bit Base Artisan Support B.P. 1048 Les Cocotiers C/0-3 Tel. 32.01.56

Training and Population Research Center (CEFORP) 03 B.P. 1079 Gb�gamey Tel. 30.07.70

Regional Center for Sanitary Development Tel. 30.03.09

Commission of European Communities Delegation B.P. 910 EX BCB Central Agency Tel. 31.53.28

Compensation Funds for Departing Volunteers Program Akpakpa next to Coop Tel. 33.14.61

United Nations Population Fund B.P. 5016 ZR C/115 Tel. 31.53.66

European Funds for Development Tel. 31.26.17

Guaranteed African Funds for Economic Cooperation (FAGACE) B.P. 2045 Boulevard Marina Tel. 30.03.76

International Federation for the Red Cross B.P. 08-1070 Les Cocotiers Haie Vive C/09-A Tel. 30.06.14

Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives 04 B.P. 1124 ZR Tel. 30.05.32

High Commissariat for Refugees Bureau ZR C/24 Tel. 30.28.90

IITA - Benin (Research Project) 08 B.P. 2523 Tel. 35.01.88

Regional Institute for Public Health (IRSP) B.P. 918 Zongo C/310 Tel. 31.48.64

Teaching Materials for Health Personnel B.P. 188 Tel. 30.12.36

United Nations Organization (PNUD) B.P. 506 ZR C/111 Tel. 31.30.46

United Nations Organization (Representation UNICEF) B.P. 2289 Tel. 30.02.66

World Subsistence Program (PAM) Tel. 30.09.73

World Health Organization (WHO) B.P. 918 Tel. 30.17.53

� United Nations Organization for Nourishment and Agriculture (FAO) B.P. 1369 FAO Representation in Benin Tel. 31.36.49

Fishing Project DIPA Tel. 33.09.25

WANAD Project B.P. 506 Tel. 31.45.65

Management Project for Natural Resources 06 B.P. 884 Cotonou Tel. 33.04.21

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