Benin Geography

Country Name: Republic of Benin

Capital City: Porto-Novo

Population: 7,862,944

Population Growth: 2.73% (2006)

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

Languages: French (official)

Area: 112,620 sq km

Inflation Rate: 3% (2006 est.)

Unemployment Rate: NA%

Domain extension: .bj

GEOGRAPHIC DETAILS OF BENIN

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

Geographic Co-ordinates:

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Area - total:

112,620 sq km

Area - total:

112,620 sq km

Area - land:

110,620 sq km

Area - water:

2,000 sq km

Land Boundaries:

1,989 km

Border Countries:

Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Elevation - highest point:

Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Elevation - lowest point:

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources:

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Arable Land:

23.53%

Permanent Crops:

2.37%

Other Land Use:

74.1% (2005)

Natural Hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March