About Benin
Benin is in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. The entire country is a total of 112,620 square kilometers, which makes it slightly smaller in size than the state of Pennsylvania. Benin was a French Colony from 1872 to 1960, and after several changes in leadership it became the first African nation to undergo a change in power from a dictatorship to a democracy. The citizens there are now able to take part in free elections.

The population of Benin is almost 7.5 million, yet life expectancy is only a little over 52 years. This is due to the high concentration of HIV/AIDS and a very high prevalence of food and waterborne diseases. Sixty percent of Benin’s population has inadequate access to health care.

Literacy rates in Benin are only slightly over 33%. Many children of Benin – particularly girls – do not receive an education.

The largest city in Benin is Cotonou, with a population of over 500,000 people. The capital city is Porto-Novo.