République du Bénin

Political Status: Independent Republic of Dahomey established August 1, 1960; military regime established October 26, 1972, becoming Marxist one-party system 1972–1975; name changed to People’s Republic of Benin on November 30, 1975; name changed further to Republic of Benin on February 28, 1990, by National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation, which also revoked constitution of August 1977; multiparty constitution approved by popular referendum on December 2, 1990.

Area: 43,483 sq. mi. (112,622 sq. km).

Population: 9,385,608 (2012E—UN); 9,598,787 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers (2005E): PORTO NOVO (240,000), Cotonou (789,000).

Official Language: French.

Monetary Unit: CFA franc (official rate November 5, 2012: 513.26 CFA francs = $1US). The CFA franc is permanently pegged to the euro at 655.957 CFA francs = 1 euro.

President: Boni YAYI ...