Facts

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

Area (only Total) total: 112,620 sq km

Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Population: 8,532,547

Main Language (only first): French

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Porto-Novo (official capital)

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+1

Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)c

National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1960)