| "> | | | | Atlantic Ocean in the south. It has an area of 43,500 |
| A Vibrant Democracy on the Continent of Africa! | | | | square miles (112,622 square kilometers). The |
| Soccer | | | | country's official name is the Republic of Benin |
| Did you know- Soccer is the national sport in Benin. | | | | (former Dahomey). Geographically, it is made up |
| Like much of the developing world today, the | | | | mainly of valleys, plains, and wilderness.Meanwhile, |
| French-speaking republic has not qualified for the | | | | Benin's capital Porto-Novo is the second largest city in |
| FIFA World Cup. However, they qualified for the | | | | population (over 200,000 people). In addition to the |
| 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the | | | | country's capital, other cities include Cotonu ( Benin's |
| Netherlands, where finished 18th, ahead of Australia, | | | | largest city), Djougou, Abomey-Calavi, Parakou, |
| Panama, Honduras, Egypt, Canada, and Switzerland. | | | | Bohicon, and Kandi, among others. |
| The best players were Abou Gariga Maiga and Razak | | | | Economics |
| Omotoyosssi ( who plays in Europe). | | | | Did you know- The African republic over the last |
| The Royal Palaces of Abomey | | | | three decades has changed from a socialist economy |
| Did you know- Benin is a great destination in West | | | | to a free market system. Cotton is a key source of |
| Africa. The French-speaking country is famous for | | | | foreign exchange. It contributes more income to |
| being home to the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a | | | | Benin's economy than any other single economic |
| legacy of one of West Africa's most powerful | | | | activity. |
| kingdoms. There is so much evidence of Benin's | | | | World-famous persons |
| ancient history, and here you can see tombs, | | | | Did you know- On the world stage, he African |
| sculptures, murals, and buildings. These palaces, | | | | republic of Benin is well-known for its Royal Palaces |
| Benin's most noteworthy scenery, were built in 1625. | | | | and for the songs of Angelique Kidjo, who helped |
| Historically, this place was home to the Kingdom of | | | | popularize African music in the United States and |
| Abomey, which flourished from the 17th century to | | | | Europe. This daughter of Benin, a Grammy-Award |
| the 19th century. Aside from being one of the | | | | winning singer, always will be remembered |
| ancient wonders on the African mainland, it was the | | | | internationally for such songs as "Batonga", "Agolo", |
| first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the | | | | "Lombo", "Wombo", "We We" and "Adouma". Kidjo |
| French-speaking nation, a land with a number of | | | | was born on July 14, 1960 in Ouidah, Benin. |
| historic sites. Modern-day Benin has its roots in the | | | | United Nations |
| ancient Kingdom of Abomey. Later, it was a territory | | | | Did you know- On September 20, 1960, the African |
| under France until 1960. | | | | country became a member of the United Nations |
| Democracy | | | | (and many of its specialized agencies). Sixteen years |
| Did you know- Tomas Boni Yayi is one of West | | | | on, between 1976 and 1977, it served on the Council |
| Africa's most respected presidents. Under Yayi's | | | | of Security of the United Nations for the first time. |
| leadership, Benin has been transformed into a new | | | | Diplomatic Relations |
| democratic state, where there are several political | | | | Did you know- Benin --as large as Indiana and Hawaii |
| parties and a good human rights record. A good | | | | together - has maintained good ties with Washington |
| example of one of the world's poorest nations. | | | | since the mid-1990s when the black republic became |
| Geography | | | | a multiparty democracy. |
| Did you know- Benin is located in West Africa, and | | | | People |
| surrounded by Nigeria (an oil-rich republic) in the east, | | | | Did you know- This western African nation has a |
| by Niger (the world's poorest nation) and Burkina | | | | population of about 8.9 million people. The chief ethnic |
| Faso (once called Upper Volta) in the north, by Togo | | | | groups are the Fon, Adja, Bariba, and Yoruba. French |
| (a French-speaking country) in the west, and by the | | | | is the official language. |