Benin Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
112,622 sq km (43,484 sq miles).

Population
7.1 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
63.4 per sq km.

Capital
Porto Novo (administrative).
Population: 223,600 (2002). (Cotonou is the economic capital with an estimated population of 828,000 in 2003.)

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960.

Language
The official language is French. However, many ethnic groups have their own languages: Bariba and Fulani are spoken in the north, Fon and Yoruba in the south. Some English is also spoken.

Religion
35% animist/traditional, 35% Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) and the majority of the rest are Muslim.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of State
President Yayi Boni since 2006.

Recent History
Political newcomer Yayi Boni won the second round of presidential elections in March 2006, gaining more than 74% of the vote. His rival was the former parliamentary speaker, Adrien Houngbedji. Mathieu Kérékou, his predecessor, was barred by the constitution from running for a third term as he was over the age limit of 70. Benin’s president heads the government, the state and the military and appoints members of the cabinet.

Telephone
Country code: 229. There is an additional charge for calls made from a coin box.

Mobile Telephone
Some roaming agreements exist. Coverage is limited. Handsets can be hired locally. Further information can be obtained from the Office des Postes et Télécommunications du Bénin (website: www.opt.bj).

Internet
Public access is available in Cotonou.

Media
The constitution guarantees media freedom although harsh libel laws have been used against journalists. Benin has more than 50 newspapers and periodicals, one state TV channel, a handful of commercial TV channels and more than 30 state, commercial and local radio stations.
In 2003, the authorities paved the way for a further expansion of the private media scene, allocating frequencies for five private TV stations and 10 commercial radio stations. The BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are available on FM in Cotonou.


Post
Airmail takes three to five days to reach Europe. Surface mail letters or parcels take from six to eight weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1400.

Press
• La Nation is the daily official newspaper.
• Other private dailies include Le Matinal, Fraternité, Le Républicain, L’Aurore and L’Evènement du Jour.

Radio
• Radio Benin is a national, state-run station.
• Golfe FM is a commercial station.
• Radio Immaculée Conception is a catholic radio station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Jan Traditional Day. 
9 Mar Prophet's Birthday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
21 May Ascension Day. 
1 Jun Whit Monday. 
1 Aug Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
26 Oct Armed Forces Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
30 Nov National Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Jan Traditional Day. 
26 Feb Prophet's Birthday. 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
13 May Ascension Day. 
24 May Whit Monday. 
1 Aug Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
26 Oct Armed Forces Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
17 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
30 Nov National Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations.

Contact Information:

Direction de la Documentation de Réseau Internet du Gouvernement (DDARIG)
01 BP 120, Cotonou, Benin
Tel: 306 835.
Website: www.gouv.bj

Honorary Consulate of Benin in the UK
Millennium House, Humber Road, Near Staples Corner, London NW2 6DW, UK
Tel: (020) 8830 8612.
E-mail: l.landau@btinternet.com
Opening hours: Mon, Wed and Fri 1030-1600.

Embassy of the Republic of Benin in France
87 avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (01) 4500 9882 or 4222 3191 (consular section).
Website: www.ambassade-benin.org

Embassy of the Republic of Benin in the USA
2124 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 6656.
Website: www.beninembassy.us


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