About Benin

Official name: Republic of Benin
Capital: Porto-Novo
Head of state: President Thomas Yayi Boni
Government Type: Republic
Population:  8,532,547
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: Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

Legal Status of Homosexuality
Homosexual acts between adults is punishable with 1 to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 francs (Penal Code of 1996 Article 88).

Communication

mainline telephones: 110,300 (2007)
cellular telephones: 1.895 million (2007)
internet country code: .bj
internet hosts: 848 (2008)
internet users: 150,000 (2007)