Benin Republic of Benin

Capital Porto-Novo Area 43,483 sq mi 112,620 sq km Population 7,041,490 est 2003 Largest city Cotonou pop. 734,600 Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Peoples African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Religion Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Islam 20% Life Expectancy total population: 50.81 years male: 50.25 years female: 51.39 years (2004 est.) Literacy total population: 40.9% male: 56.2% female: 26.5% (2000) Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Government Republic under multiparty democratic rule back to Africa Map