Benin Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

West Africa.

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.

Area

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

Time Zone

GMT + 1.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Population

7.1 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density

63.4 per sq km.

Capital City

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.

Head of State

President Yayi Boni since 2006.

Religion

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

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.

Communications

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.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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
10 Jan Traditional Day
15 Feb Prophet’s Birthday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
2 Jun Ascension Day
13 Jun Whit Monday
1 Aug Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
26 Oct Armed Forces Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
6 Nov - 7 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
30 Nov National Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
10 Jan Traditional Day
4 Feb Prophet’s Birthday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
17 May Ascension Day
28 May Whit Monday
1 Aug Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
26 Oct Armed Forces Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
6 Nov - 7 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
30 Nov National Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
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