about benin

official name: Republic of Benin
capital: Porto-Novo
head of state: President Mathieu Kerekou
state: multi-party democracy
population: 6,5 million
independence: from France in 1960
languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
religion: traditional African 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
media: La Nation; Le Matinal

http://www.afrikinfo.com/matinal

legal wise

status of homosexuality: illegal
age of consent: not maintained
laws covering homosexual activity: The illegal status of homosexuality has been confirmed by the Benin authorities. (ILGA Office) Index on Censorship says: not mentioned in law. Has a sodomy law.
background information and government attitudes:
9.95: At UN 4th Conference on Women in Beijing Benin opposed the (unsuccessful) proposal for inclusion of references to "sexual orientation" in the draft "Platform for Action" (DS)

communication

mainline telephones: 36, 000 (1997)
cellular telephones: 4, 295 (1997)
internet country code: .bj
internet service providers: 1 (2000)
internet users: 10, 000 (2000)

links and contacts
NA