Benin: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities Boni Forms New Government without a Prime Minister Geography This West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, between Togo on the west and Nigeria on the east, is about the size of Tennessee. It is bounded by Burkina Faso and Niger on the north. The land consists of a narrow coastal strip that rises to a swampy, forested plateau and then to highlands in the north. A hot and humid climate blankets the entire country. Government Republic under a multiparty democratic rule. History The Abomey kingdom of the Dahomey, or Fon, peoples was established in 1625. A rich cultural life flourished, and Dahomey's wooden masks, bronze statues, tapestries, and pottery are world renowned. One of the smallest and most densely populated regions in Africa, Dahomey was annexed by the French in 1893 and incorporated into French West Africa in 1904. It became an autonomous republic within the French Community in 1958, and on Aug. 1, 1960, Dahomey was granted its independence within the Community. Gen.

Christophe Soglo deposed the first president, Hubert Maga, in an army coup in 1963. He dismissed the civilian government in 1965, proclaiming himself chief of state. A group of young army officers seized power in Dec. 1967, deposing Soglo. In Dec. 1969, Benin had its fifth coup of the decade, with the army again taking power. In May 1970, a three-man presidential commission with a six-year term was created to take over the government. In May 1972, yet another army coup ousted the triumvirate and installed Lt. Col. Mathieu Kérékou as president. Between 1974 and 1989 Dahomey embraced socialism, and changed its name to the People's Republic of Benin. The name Benin commemorates an African kingdom that flourished from the 15th to the 17th century in what is now southwest Nigeria. In 1990, Benin abandoned Marxist ideology, began moving toward multiparty democracy, and changed its name again, to the Republic of Benin.

Benin - Republic of Benin - Country Profile - West Africa Location map of Benin A virtual guide to Benin. The Republic of Benin is a from north to south long stretched country in West Africa , situated east of Togo and west of Nigeria , it is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger , in south by the the Bight of Benin, in the Gulf of Guinea, that part of the tropical North Atlantic Ocean which is roughly south of West Africa. Benin's coastline is just 121 km (75 mi) long. With an area of 112,622 km² the country is slightly larger than Bulgaria , or slightly smaller than the U.S. state Pennsylvania . Benin's former name, until 1975, was Dahomey. Porto-Novo , a port on an inlet of the Gulf of Guinea is the nations capital city, largest city and economic capital is Cotonou . Spoken languages are French (official), Fon and Yoruba. Ethnic groups: 42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba.

Religions: Indigenous beliefs (animist) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%. Languages : French (official), Fon and Yoruba in the south; Nagot, Bariba and Dendi in the north. Literacy: Total population 39%; men 53%, women 25%. Natural resources: Small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber.

Agriculture products: Cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) Industries: Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001) Exports - commodities: cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood Exports partners: India 24.2%, Gabon 14.6%, China 7.2%, Niger 6%, Bangladesh 5%, Nigeria 4.9%, Vietnam 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products Imports partners: China 42.1%, US 8.9%, India 5.7%, Malaysia 4.8%, Thailand 4.3%, France 4% (2015) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF) Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Benin Benin | Define Benin at Dictionary.com Benin noun 1. Formerly Dahomey . a republic in W Africa: formerly part of French West Africa; gained independence in 1960.

44,290 sq. mi. (114,711 sq. km). Capital: Porto Novo. Bight of, a bay in N Gulf of Guinea in W Africa. 3. a former native kingdom in W Africa: now incorporated into Nigeria. 4. a river in S Nigeria, flowing into the Bight of Benin. Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for Benin Expand Contemporary Examples At the Global awards ceremony, musical artists set the crowd on fire, especially Benin singer Angelique Kidjo. Bill Clinton, Loretta Claiborne: Best Moments From 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (Video) Nina Strochlic September 24, 2012 Historical Examples The kings of Benin and Congo could not be more indignant at the sight of a British cruiser blockading one of their rivers. The Guinea Voyage James Field Stanfield In quest of these she ran up the Bight of Benin; and here, close in with the coast, we presently raised a large school. West African studies Mary Henrietta Kingsley As the Lander brothers floated down the stream formed by the union of these two, they soon found themselves in the Bight of Benin.

British Dictionary definitions for Benin Expand noun 1. a republic in W Africa, on the Bight of Benin, a section of the Gulf of Guinea: in the early 19th century a powerful kingdom, famed for its women warriors; became a French colony in 1893, gaining independence in 1960. It consists chiefly of coastal lagoons and swamps in the south, a fertile plain and marshes in the centre, and the Atakora Mountains in the northwest. Official language: French. Religion: animist majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Porto Novo (the government is based in Cotonou). Pop: 9 877 292 (2013 est). Area: 112 622 sq km (43 474 sq miles) Former name (until 1975) Dahomey 2. a former kingdom of W Africa, powerful from the 14th to the 17th centuries: now a province of S Nigeria: noted for its bronzes Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for Benin Expand former West African kingdom, from the Bini people, whose name is perhaps related to Arabic bani "sons." Though now the people is associated with Nigeria, the name was taken 1974 by the former nation of Dahomey. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Culture of Benin - history, people, clothing, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social Culture of Benin Beninese Orientation Identification. Before 1975, the Republic of Benin was known as Dahomey, its French colonial name. Three years after the coup that brought Major Kérékou to power, the name was changed to the People's Republic of Benin, reflecting the Marxist-Leninist ideology of the new government.

After the collapse of the Kérékou government in 1989, the name was shortened to the Republic of Benin. In the precolonial period, Dahomey was the name of the most powerful kingdom on the Slave Coast, which extended along the Bight of Benin to Lagos. Today Benin includes not only the ancient Fon kingdom of Dahomey but also areas inhabited by many other groups. The nation's lack of cultural homogeneity is due to geographic factors and a history that has included waves of migration, competition between precolonial kingdoms, four centuries of commercial relations with Europe, and the impact of colonialism. In addition to language and ethnicity, there are divisions along lines of occupation and religion. Location and Geography. The country has an area of 43,483 square miles (112,622 square kilometers). It shares borders with Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Togo. There are five distinct geographic zones. In the south, coconut palms grow on a narrow coastal strip broken by lagoons and creeks. In the north, a plateau of fertile iron clay soil interspersed with marshy areas supports oil palms.

The central area is a wooded savanna with some hilly areas. The Atacora mountain chain in the northwest is the area of greatest elevation, while the northeast is part of the Niger river basin. Most of the country has a tropical climate with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. Rainfall and vegetation are heaviest in the south. The country is divided into six departments containing eighty-four districts. The capital is Porto-Novo, but the seat of government is in nearby Cotonou, the largest city. Demography. The current population is estimated to be about 6.5 million and is concentrated in the southern and central regions. The growth rate is high, and 48 percent of the people are less than fifteen years old. Linguistic Affiliation. French is the national language, and English is taught in secondary schools. There are about fifty languages and dialects. Most people speak at least two languages. Fifty percent of the population speaks Fon; other important languages include Yoruba, Aja, Mina, Goun, Bariba, Dendi, Ditamarri, Nateni, and Fulfulde. Approximately 36 percent of the population is illiterate.

Symbolism. The flag first flown after independence was green, red, and yellow. Green denoted hope for renewal, red stood for the ancestors' courage, and yellow symbolized the country's treasures. In 1975, the flag was changed to green with a red star in the corner. In 1990, the original flag was reestablished to symbolize the rejection of Marxist ideology. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Although several ethnic groups are assumed to be indigenous, migration that began four hundred years ago brought Aja-speaking peoples (the Gbe) into the southern part of the country, where they founded several kingdoms. The Yoruba presence in the southern and central regions also dates back several hundred years. The Bariba migrated west from what is now Nigeria and established a cluster of states. In the northwest, Benin several indigenous groups remained independent of Bariba control. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to make contact at Ouidah (Whydah) in 1580s; Dutch, French, and English traders followed. The coastal communities became part of an emerging trans-Atlantic trading system. In the seventeenth century, slaves became the most important commodity, traded for manufactured items.

At first the trade took place with coastal kingdoms, but the interior kingdom of Dahomey later conquered those kingdoms. Although a tributary of the Yoruba kingdom Oyo from 1740 to 1818, Dahomey dominated the regional slave trade. Traders dealt directly with the royalty of Dahomey, who continued to sell slaves to Brazilian merchants after the 1830s. Merchants and travelers wrote about the power of the Dahomean monarch, his army of "amazons" (female warriors), and ceremonies that included human sacrifice. The French presence and influence increased after 1840 as a result of commercial and missionary activity. Tension with France increased as competition between European imperial powers escalated. France engaged in three military campaigns against Dahomey, and in 1894 King Behanzin surrendered and was exiled. By 1900, the Bariba had been defeated and the new boundaries had been determined. From 1904 to 1958, Dahomey was a colony in the federation of French West Africa. Colonial rule forced the people to accept a new system of central administration, heavy taxation, forced labor, and harsh laws.

France conscripted men to fight in both world wars. By the end of World War II, the economy was weak and growing discontent was difficult to manage. After World War II, France followed a policy of increased representation and autonomy. During this period, a triumvirate of leaders emerged who would dominate national politics for decades. In 1958, Dahomey chose independence, which was declared in 1960. Hubert Maga was elected as the first president. His term was interrupted by a military coup in 1963, the first of six in the next nine years. National Identity. Political turmoil before and after independence was not conducive to the formation of a national identity. The Kérékou regime and the seventeen-year experiment with socialism stabilized the country under a central bureaucracy. In the early years of his rule, Kérékou's called for the creation of a nation less aligned with French commercial and cultural interests. After the government adopted a Marxist-Leninist ideology in 1974, a rhetoric of national unity and "the revolution" permeated the media and government propaganda, but even today national identity is secondary to ethnic identity for much of the rural population. Ethnic Relations.

Beninese recognize about twenty sociocultural groups. In some cases, a cultural cluster is associated with one or more of the ancient kingdoms. The Fon (founders of the Dahomey kingdom) are the largest group. Their language is closely related to that of the Aja and Goun, and there are close ethnic ties with those groups as a result of shared precolonial history. Lines of cleavages create constantly changing northern, southern, and south-central coalitions of leaders who vie for control of limited resources and political power. The Afro-Brazilian community in the south is descended from European traders, Africans who lived near European trading establishments, and traders and returned slaves from Brazil. The educated peoples of the more urbanized southern region have dominated the nation's political and economic life. The teachers and civil servants who were given posts in the north were considered to be as foreign as the Europeans. Benin is also home to Fulani herders known locally as the Peul. These herders move their livestock over long distances in search of grass. Even when they become sedentary, the Fulani maintain a unique cultural identity. Many of them serve in the military.

Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space More than 40 percent of the population lives in urban environments, primarily in Cotonou. Cities have a mixture of modern and colonial architecture. Although some Cotonou residents live in multi-story apartment buildings, their neighborhoods usually consist of walled compounds. In small towns and villages, new houses tend to be built from concrete block with metal roofs, but many are constructed from mud bricks and roofed with thatch. Large towns have both mosques and churches, and every town has at least one open-air market. Food and Economy Food in Daily Life. Even in many urban areas, cooking is done outside or, when it rains, in a separate room or shelter. Women and girls cook family meals, although more young men are learning to cook. Because many homes do not have refrigeration, most people go to the market several times a week to purchase food. The basic meal consists of a staple starch prepared as a sort of mush, eaten with a sauce that contains vegetables and meat or fish. Food is prepared at least twice a day: at midday and in the evening. The morning meal may consist of warmed-up leftovers from the previous evening's meal or food purchased from roadside vendors.

In the south, rice, corn, and manioc are the primary starches; millet, sorghum, and yams are preferred in central and northern communities. Sauces may contain okra, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, eggplant, peppers, and other vegetables. Legumes may be made into side dishes. In the marshy areas, carrots, green beans, and lettuce are being incorporated into the diet. Beninese also eat many varieties of tropical fruits. Traditionally palm wine was produced in the south, while millet beer was brewed and consumed by the northern peoples. Today alcoholic beverages are likely to be imported. Smoked, dried, or fresh fish is likely to accompany a meal in the south, while beef is more common in the north. Goats, sheep, and poultry are found throughout the country. Poor people often eat meals with no protein. "European" foods were introduced during the colonial period. Many young people perceive the traditional diet as monotonous and want to eat more expensive and often less nutritious imported foods. Children and adults buy snacks from roadside vendors. Men without female family members to cook for them often eat in makeshift outdoor restaurants. In the cities, French cuisine is available in restaurants.

Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Weddings, funerals, and holidays always involve eating. The Muslim feast day of Tobaski is celebrated by eating mutton, and families save to purchase a large sheep. Items such as pasta and canned peas are purchased by rural dwellers to eat on special occasions. Basic Economy. The country is self-sufficient in food production, despite the increased production of cash crops. About half the population is engaged in agriculture, and traditional systems of internal trade still function to move food from one area to another. The lack of passable roads in rural areas makes it difficult to transport agricultural products to market. About nine hundred thousand people face intermittent food shortages. Fishing is concentrated in the south, and pigs are raised by Christians. Most cattle are raised by Fulani herders. During the socialist period, the government encouraged agro-business initiatives and increased production through rural development programs Traditional Benin applique cloth; these are associated with the ancient Beninese cultures of Dahomey. such as cooperatives, but farmers' incomes remained low. Forced to sell their products to government managed companies at artificially low prices, farmers were forced into additional subsistence agriculture to feed themselves.

In the last decade, increases in subsistence and cash crops and growth in manufacturing and industry have led to a higher economic growth rate. However, structural adjustment programs negotiated with the World Bank and the International Money Fund after the collapse of the socialist government have involved painful austerity measures, and in 1994 the currency (the Communate Financiere Africaine franc or CFAF) was devalued. Land Tenure and Property. In the precolonial period, access to land was primarily through lineages and clans. However, private holdings existed before the colonial period as a result of gifts from kings to their supporters and purchases from lineage groups. Inheritance. Patterns of inheritance vary according to the customs of individual groups; while national law permits women to inherit and own land, in patrilineal societies land is likely to be inherited by brothers and sons. Commercial Activities. Agricultural products and consumer goods are sold wholesale and retail. Consumers can purchase goods at retail outlets for international import-export companies. Small stores called boutiques sell consumer goods and processed foodstuffs in most towns; many are run by Yoruba or Lebanese trading families. Modern stores are found only in the larger cities.

Most people still depend on open-air markets to buy not only food but textiles, clothing, furniture, and manufactured goods. The informal economy is large. Historically, women have played an important role in trade, and many women attempt to engage in commerce in addition to household or wage-earning labor. Major Industries. After the fall of the socialist government, many inefficient industries were privatized. Most manufacturing is geared to processing agricultural products and import substitution of consumer goods. There has been increased foreign investment in cotton gins, but most industrial concerns operate at low capacity and serve the local market. There are deposits of gold, oil, limestone, phosphates, iron ore, kaolin, and silica sand. Oil production has not been successful. The tourism industry will also require financial investment. Hooded and masked egunguns are present at a voodoo festival. Egunguns are the ghosts of ancestors, believed to visit earth at certain times of year by possessing living people. A hydroelectric power project on the Mono River is planned, and there is a project to build a natural gas pipeline. Trade. Cotton, crude oil, palm products, and cocoa are the major exports. Major imports include textiles, machinery, food, and agricultural raw materials.

After independence, France continued to be the main destination for exports. Other current trading partners include Brazil, Portugal, Morocco, and Libya. Division of Labor. In rural areas, the division of labor is usually clearly prescribed, with specific tasks assigned to men and women. Children are expected to help with chores. In polygynous families, the division of labor among cowives is precise. The more senior a wife is, the more likely she is to have time to pursue commercial interests. Social Stratification Classes and Castes. The system of social stratification has its roots in the precolonial kingdoms. Kingdoms in the south included royal and commoner families as well as slaves. At the top of the hierarchy was the ruling group of the Bariba, followed by a class of Bariba cultivators. Next came the Fulani pastoralists, and on the bottom were the Gando, the slaves of the Wasangari. Colonization broke the power of the traditional rulers, but social status is still partially determined by a person's family roots. Wealth is another way to gain social status, and those who become wealthy through commerce are held in high regard. One of the most significant social divisions is between the educated urban elite and the rural population.

During the colonial period, educated Beninese in other states were expelled. Some found work in the bureaucracy at home, but many moved to European countries. The career goal of many students is to become a civil servant, although structural adjustment programs have reduced the civil service sector. The objectives of the new national employment program include developing the private sector and encouraging expatriates to contribute to the economic development process. Symbols of Social Stratification. The dress, manners, activities, and worldview of the urban elite set them apart from other segments of society, and their lifestyle often is emulated by people in lower classes. Speaking French, wearing Western-style clothes, eating European foods, living in a house with a tin roof, and listening to modern music distinguish a person who is "civilized." Political Life Government. Political instability has resulted from the inability of leaders to gain support outside their regional bases. Benin was the first country in the 1990s to make the transition from a dictatorship to a multiparty democracy. Under the new constitution, the president is directly elected to a five-year term and is limited to two terms. The president chooses the members of the cabinet. Members of parliament are elected to four-year terms. The National Assembly meets twice a year.

Leadership and Political Officials. Dozens of political parties have been formed since 1990, and the ability to negotiate alliances is essential to political success. Elections in the 1990s exhibited old patterns of patron-client relations, ethnic and regional fragmentation, brittle and shifting alliances, and isolated incidents of violence. Social Problems and Control. The crime rate is low, and most disputes are resolved by local leaders. Few civilians have access to guns. Theft is a problem, A woman selling baguettes at a market in Cotonou. Many Beninese homes lack refrigeration, necessitating almost daily trips to the marketplace. and many wealthier homeowners hire a night watchman. Military Activity. Military activity has been limited to domestic operations, and civilian rule has been toppled several times by factions of the military. Social Welfare and Change Programs Poverty has prevented the state from addressing the nation's health and educational needs, and it has relied on foreign aid and assistance from international organizations. Adjustment programs initiated after the collapse of the economy in 1989 limited the state's investment in health and social development. The National Family Planning Association was founded in 1972. Gender Roles and Statuses Division of Labor by Gender.

In farming communities, men do the heavier tasks such as clearing land. Women help plant, harvest, and process many of the food products. Women carry wood and water and are responsible for household tasks involving food and children. Women are active in local and regional trade. The degree to which women work as healers and ritual specialists varies between ethnic groups. The Relative Status of Women and Men. Although women in the Dahomey kingdom could increase their wealth and power as part of the royal palace organization and often served in primarily male occupations, the general pattern has always been for women to be socially and economically subordinate to men. The 1977 constitution conferred legal equality on women, but this was ignored in practice. Currently 65 percent of girls are not in school. Marriage, Family, and Kinship Marriage. In the past, most marriages were arranged by families, but individual choice is becoming more common, especially among the educated elite. A couple may have both civil and traditional ceremonies. The wife joins her husband's family, or the new couple may relocate. Marriage is nearly universal because remarriage occurs quickly after divorce or the death of a spouse. Although cowives in polygamous marriages are supposed to get along, jealousy is not unusual.

A fishing village on stilts. Ganvie, Lake Nokoue. Fish is more common as a daily meal in the southern part of Benin. Marriage may involve the transfer of money or goods to the bride's family. After a divorce, renegotiation of bridewealth may be necessary, especially if there are no children. Because women marry into a patrilineal descent system, the children belong to the father. Because wives do not become part of the husband's kin group, marriages tend to be brittle. Kin Groups. Kinship ties involve loyalty as well as obligation. Outside the immediate family, the lineage and the clan are the most common descent groups. Kin are expected to attend important ceremonies and provide financial aid. Kin networks link members in urban and rural areas. Children may be sent to relatives to raise, but fostering sometimes results in country relatives being brought to large cities to work as domestic servants. Domestic Unit. The average household contains six persons, but extended families and polygamous households may be much larger. Often close relatives live in the same vicinity in separate households but function as a cooperative economic unit. Socialization Infant Care. Infants are carried, often on the mother's back, and most are breast-fed.

Children are cared for by siblings and other family members when they are not with the mother. Babies sleep anywhere, no matter how noisy it is. Child Rearing and Education. Children are expected to be obedient and to show respect for their elders. Children learn gender-appropriate tasks early, especially girls. Most children have few toys and amuse themselves with simple games. It is estimated that 8 percent of rural children work as laborers on plantations and as domestic servants. The educational system is modeled after that of France. School is free and compulsory for seven years beginning at age five. However, many families cannot afford uniforms and supplies or need their children's labor. It is recognized that education is the key to social advancement, and most parents sacrifice to send their children to school. Etiquette Good manners include taking time to greet people properly, using conventional oral formulas. Upon entering or leaving an appointment, it is appropriate to shake the hand of each person present. People who are well acquainted may greet each other by kissing on the cheek. Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are discouraged, but men frequently walk together holding This Benin village cooks food communally in a large pot. Most cooking is done outdoors, even in urban areas. hands.

Offering food and drink to visitors is a key element of hospitality, and to refuse is considered rude. Many people eat in the traditional style, using the fingers of the right hand. It is considered bad taste to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with it. Religion Religious Beliefs. About 15 percent of the population is Muslim, and 15 percent is Christian, mostly Roman Catholic. The rest of the population follows indigenous systems of belief. Vodun (voodoo) was taken with the coastal slaves to Brazil and the Caribbean. Some Vodun spirits were borrowed from the Yoruba religion, and Vodun involves divination and spirit possession. These supernatural powers help believers cope with illness and infertility and provide a philosophy for living. Death and the Afterlife. In indigenous belief systems, ancestors are considered to remain part of the community after death. Shrines honor the ancestors, and offerings "feed" them. Among the Fon, circular metal sculptures on staffs called asen are made for each deceased person and kept in the family compound. In some communities, funerals involve a sequence of rituals before the person is considered to have made a complete transition to being an ancestor.

Medicine and Health Care The birthrate and maternal mortality rate are high. Malaria and diarrheal dehydration are endemic. Only half the population is vaccinated. Over three-quarters of the population does not have access to primary health care. AIDS is straining the health care system. The rates of infection is three times higher in rural areas. People often employ more than one system of healing. Even those who have access to an infirmary or clinic may visit herbalists or other healers. Secular and Religious Celebrations The major state holidays are New Year's Day (1 January), May Day (1 May), and National Day (1 August). The Arts and Humanities Support for the Arts. Support for the arts and humanities is limited by poverty of the nation. Literature. Benin has produced many scholars and writers from the educated urban class, such as the novelist and historian Paul Hazoumé and the philosopher Paulin Houndtonji. Graphic Arts. The arts include fine craftsmanship in iron and brass and cloth appliqué banners associated with ancient Dahomey. The State of the Physical and Social Sciences There is only one postsecondary institution, the University of Benin in Cotonou.

The university serves as a base for international research teams, and its faculty members have produced important scholarly contributions. About twelve thousand students are enrolled. Bibliography Benin This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Benin 2:3 Image by Željko Heimer, 04 March 2001 Flag adopted 16 November 1959, abandoned in 1975 and reintroduced 01 August 1990. History of the flag Benin gained independence in 1960 as a Republic of Dahomey. Up to 1975 the flag was the same as the current one. However, between 1975 and 1990 the country was known as the People's Republic of Benin and used a flag that was red with green star in the canton. The flag originally adopted at independence was re-introduced in 1990.

Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000 Flag of Benin (1959 - 1975; 1990 - ) The symbolism of the colours of the flag are explained in the national anthem - Green recalls hope and revival, red the courage of ancestors and yellow is a reminder to preserve the country's wealth. The flag of August 1960 (adopted on 16 November 1959, but hoisted for the first time on 01 August 1960) was reestablished during the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation (19-28 February 1990). Dorling-Kindersley Pocket Book explains the colours as being Pan-African. Pedersen [ ped70g ] associates red to the soil, yellow to the savannas and green to palm trees. Whitney Smith [smi80] agrees with Pedersen, except for the red symbolizing the blood of ancestors.

According to Album des Pavillons [pay00] , the national flag is also used as the national ensign When the country abandoned its socialist policies in 1990, a multi-party democracy was established in 1991. Although the original flag was re-adopted, the country retained the name Benin introduced in 1975. This was the name of the ancient African empire centered in that area. Summary of contributions by Željko Heimer and John Andrew Lowe, 30 Nov 1995; Nick Artimovich, 05 June 1996 and Ivan Sache, 23 April 2000 2:3 Image by Željko Heimer based on Album des Pavillons 2000 [pay00] , 11 Jan 2001 In the construction sheet is given in Album des Pavillons 2000 [pay00] , the ratio between the length of the green field to the fly is 6:9, while ratio of yellow and red stripes is 5:5.

In many sources an erroneous flag image is shown where green stripe is of equal width as the yellow and red stripes. Željko Heimer, 11 Jan 2001 Image by �eljko Heimer, 04 March 2001 It is said that star represents "peoples unity, unity of all revolutionary forces in overwhelming of inner and outer enemy and making a new, revolutionary and socialist land of Benin" . This flag reversed the colours of the The flag reversed the colours of the flag of the People's Revolutionary Party of Benin , which had a green star and red background. Stuart Notholt The national flag 1975-1990 was, as far as I am aware, never officially adopted, (meaning there was no law regarding it) and therefore the construction details (size and position of the star) were never determined either.

�eljko Heimer, 04 March 2001 Kingdom of Dahomey (19th century) Image by Jaume Oll�, 12 Sept 1996 The Béhanzin king (1889-1892, born 1844, died 1906), successor of the king Gle-Gle, had a flag (r atio 43:59) with a light blue field. The shield is yellow with a dark grey shark, and white egg and tusks; green palm; light green snakes, and a white ribbon. Some inscriptions suggest manufacture by one of the Portuguese who had commercial relations along the coast. The French General Alfred Dodds captured a flag in the Dahomey royal Palace at Abomey on 18 November 1892. It was sent to the Musee de l'Arme in Paris and was transferred in 1932 to the Musee Colonial (now the Musée des Arts Africains et Océaniens). Details of the flag is reported in the issue 145 of the Flag Bulletin.

That museum has an engraving by Albert Vallon, showing a French mission being received by King Ghezo (1818-1858), with a different flag, which suggests that each king may have had his own flag. The flag used by King Ghezo is shown above. Jaume Oll�, 12 Sept 1996 (1) (2) Images by Željko Heimer, 04 March 2001 While Jaume Ollé states that the star should be in the center of the flag (2), other sources seems to imply that it was indeed in canton as (1) (e.g. Smith [smi80] , Crampton [cra90] ). The flag of PRP may have been adopted earlier then 1975.

Željko Heimer, 23 April 2000 Coat of Arms Image sent by Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000 The Coat of Arms were originally adopted in 1964 and were re-adopted in 1990 after being replaced in 1975 when the country became the People's Republic of Benin . The Arms are surmounted by the national crest which consists of two horns with corn in the ear and filled with sand. These are reputed to stand for prosperity. Below is the national shield which is quartered and depicts a local Somba fortress in the top left quadrant representing the history of the country; in the top right quadrant is the Order of the Star of Benin, the highest decoration in the country. The bottom left quadrant features a palm tree and in the bottom right is a sailing ship representing the arrival of the Europeans. The shield is supported by a pair of leopards, the national animal of Benin. Below the shield is the national motto (in French) 'Fraternite, Justice, Travail' (meaning: Fraternity, Justice, Work).

Image sent by Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000 On 01 December 1975 the name, arms, and flag of the country were changed. The Arms adopted at the time comprised a green shield with red star within a wreath of yellow, ripe maize-cobs (symbol of agriculture) a cog-wheel (industry). On the red ribbon, that has been bound around a stack of maize-cobs, are the initials of the name of the country RPB in green. These Arms were replaced in 1990 when the previous Arms were restored as outlined above. Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000 Benin Fact Sheet December 12, 2015 More information about Benin is available on the Benin Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. U.S.-BENIN RELATIONS The United States established diplomatic relations with Benin (then called Dahomey) in 1960, following its independence from France.

Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups brought about many changes of government, followed by one-party, Marxist-Leninist rule until the early 1990s, when the country transitioned to a democratic government. In the years since then, the history of bilateral relations has been excellent. The United States supports the consolidation of democracy and economic liberalization in Benin. Presidential and legislative elections in 2011 were peaceful and benefited from strong citizen participation and robust press freedom. However, poor health care, low quality of public education, and insufficiently transparent governance persist as obstacles to national development. U.S. Assistance to Benin The United States supports efforts to improve the health of Beninese families by reducing the malaria disease burden, improving the health of mothers and young children, and strengthening the health system. U.S. assistance also provides support to Benin’s defense and military capacity enhancement, enabling the country to maintain domestic peace and security while contributing to regional stability. Bilateral Economic Relations Benin is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Trade between Benin and the United States is small, but interest in U.S. products is growing.

U.S. exports to Benin include vehicles, oil, machinery, low-value shipments, and perfumery/cosmetics. U.S. imports from Benin include Shea butter and cashews. The United States aims to promote increased trade with Benin and thereby with Benin's neighbors, particularly Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, whose imports pass through Benin. The United States also works to stimulate U.S. investment in key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and transportation. Benin and the United States have a bilateral investment agreement. The United States also has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, of which Benin is a member. In September 2015, Benin and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a second compact for $375 million, plus a $28 million contribution from the Government of Benin. The MCC compact aims to strengthen Benin’s national utility, attract private sector investment, and fund infrastructure investments in electric generation and distribution as well as off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households.

Benin's Membership in International Organizations Benin and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Benin also is an observer to the Organization of American States. Bilateral Representation The current U.S. Ambassador to Benin is Lucy Tamlyn . Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List . Benin maintains an embassy in the United States at 2124 Kalorama Road, Washington, DC 20008, tel. 202-232-6656. More information about Benin is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here: HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN List of subjects | Sources | Feedback HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN Enjoy the Famous Daily The kingdom of Dahomey: 17th-19th century The modern republic of Benin, given that name only in 1975, is the successor to one of west Africa's most interesting and long-lasting kingdoms, that of Dahomey.

The traditional date of the founding of the local dynasty is1625, when three brothers of the Dahomey people rule adjacent territories along the lower reaches of the Mono river. In the early eighteenth century one member of the family defeats his cousins and brings into a single kingdom the region known today as Benin. There are European trading stations on the Dahomey coast from the 17th century. Europe is fascinated by news of the local customs, and in particular Dahomey's famous Amazons. Women, trained to form the crack regiments of the king's army, are given the place of honour in any military campaign. Richard Burton, visiting Dahomey in 1862, sees some 2500 women setting off as if for battle. But in fact battle is what they are trained to avoid. The slave trade is the king's major source of revenue, and the classic Dahomey tactic is surprise. When still a few days away from an enemy town, the invading army abandons the established tracks and melts into the jungle. Strict silence is maintained. Fires are forbidden. Under cover of darkness the town is surrounded.

In a dawn raid the intention is to capture everyone, with minimum loss of life, for the slave markets on the coast. The only occasion on which Dahomey is profligate with life, again mesmerizing European observers, is on the death of the king. In a custom practised also in the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia and China , large numbers of people (said to be about 500 in a funeral ceremony in 1791) are sacrificed to provide the ruler with wives and attendants in the next world. Twice yearly there is a smaller number of sacrifices, usually of prisoners of war, to make up any deficiencies which may have developed in the dead king's retinue. The customs of Dahomey greatly offend the sensibilities of many 19th-century Europeans, in particular those trying to abolish the slave trade. They also provide an excellent motive for colonial interference. The French have been the first in the region, with a fort established at Ouidah in the 17th century, and it is they who launch a military campaign into the interior in the 1890s. A French protectorate is established in part of the kingdom in 1892.

By the end of the decade the entire region is under control. In 1899 Dahomey is included in the newly established French West Africa , to begin sixty years under French colonial rule - until achieving independence in 1960. A turbulent independence: from1960 Dahomey has a turbulent existence in its first decades of independence, from 1960, after the dissolution of French West Africa . Power changes hands in no fewer than six military coups between 1963 and 1972. In the last of these coups, in 1972, control of the state is seized by Major Mathieu Kérékou. Pursuing a communist policy, he introduces a measure of stability in the nation's life. As if to write a line under the past he changes the name of the republic in 1975 from Dahomey to Benin. (The historic Benin lies to the east, in Nigeria, but Dahomey's coastline is on the Bight of Benin.) Kérékou proves a rarity among politicians, a communist leader capable of relinquishing power.

He announces in 1989 that Marxism-Leninism is no longer to be the political creed of Benin. Instead there is to be a transition to democracy. A multiparty presidential election is held in 1991 and Kérékou loses - to Nicéphore Soglo. Benin continues to prove during the 1990s that democracy has arrived as a workable system, even in quite difficult circumstances. Votes cast in the 1995 election to the national assembly give 49 seats to opposition parties and only 32 seats to the party providing President Soglo's power base (the PRB, or Benin Resistance Party). For a year Benin achieves the difficult feat of a president working with an opposed assembly. Then, in the presidential election of 1996, the voters of Benin provide another surprise. The ex-Marxist soldier Mathieu Kérékou, who has spent nearly twenty years running the nation as a military dictatorship (followed by five in the political wilderness), is voted back into power as a civilian president.

Question: What is the former name of the People's Republic of Venin?
Answer: Dohomey