Benin stretches north from the west African coast, with a 100-km (60-mile) shoreline on the Bight of Benin. Formerly the kingdom of Dahomey, Benin was under French colonial rule, becoming part of French West Africa, until independence in 1960. In 1990 Benin was a pioneer of multipartyism in Africa, ending 17 years of one-party Marxist–Leninist rule. Benin's economy is based on well-diversified agriculture.

Benin is politically dominated by the southern Fon people. There is some north–south tension, partly because the south is more developed, and partly reflecting a Muslim–Christian divide. Women tend to wield power and influence in the retail trade.

Strengths

Agriculture-based economy, with good product diversification. Long-overdue devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 made exports more competitive.

Weaknesses

Large-scale smuggling. Power failures caused by drought brought major economic problems in 1998, and resultant slowdown in GDP growth. Top-heavy civil service.

Benin's image as a leader in African democratization was tarnished by allegations of fraud over the 2001 presidential election. Democratization had begun at the National Conference of 1990, when Mathieu Kérékou agreed to hold multiparty elections after years of military one-party rule. The main political parties in Benin tend to be regionally based and depend on the leadership of individuals influential in local communities. Alliances change constantly. Kérékou became the first of the African one-party leaders to hand over power peacefully, to Nicéphore Soglo, a former World Bank official, after elections in 1991. Soglo did not have an automatic majority in the National Assembly, and was forced to include members of the opposition parties in his government. The main political issue became his World Bank-style deregulation of the economy. He was defeated in a controversial election in 1996 which brought Kérékou back to power as president. Kérékou dismissed claims of vote rigging in the presidential election in 2001, saying that democracy was "alive and kicking." He easily won reelection following Soglo's withdrawal.

Benin's foreign relations are largely dominated by its giant neighbor, Nigeria, which is by far the most powerful state in the region. The continuation of good relations with France, which is currently the main source of aid, is considered to be critical.

The 4500-strong army is actively involved in the attempt to curb smuggling on the Nigerian border. In 1989 the army was employed internally against rioters.

Since 1988 most electricity – which previously had to be imported from Ghana – has been generated by the Nangbeto Dam on the Mono River.

Desertification in the north is the major problem. Benin has been used in the past as a dumping ground for toxic waste.

The joint Benin–Niger railroad runs only as far as Parakou. The Cotonou–Porto-Novo line reopened in 1999.

Outside the major towns, health services and doctors are scarce. It is forecast that by 2030, one million people will have died from AIDS.

More is spent on education than on defense, and this is reinforced by Benin's active intellectual community, the "Latin Quarter of Africa." The university at Abomey-Calavi is rated highly in medicine and law.

Armed crime has risen sharply since 1995, despite the reintroduction of the death penalty. Smuggling, including child trafficking, is a major problem.

Substantial differences in wealth reflect the strongly hierarchical nature of society, especially in the south. French cars are considered to be status symbols.

The industry is not well developed; there are plans to increase package tourism. There is some safari tourism in the north, particularly in the Atakora Mountains. Benin is popular for weekend breaks for tourists vacationing in Nigeria.

In 1625 the Fon, indigenous slave traders, founded the kingdom of Dahomey. Dahomey in turn conquered the neighboring kingdoms of Dan and Allada, and the coast around Porto-Novo.

• 1857 French establish trading post at Grand-Popo.
• 1889 French defeat King Behanzin.
• 1892 French protectorate.
• 1904 Part of French West Africa.
• 1960 Full independence.
• 1975 Renamed Benin.
• 1989 Marxism–Leninism abandoned as official ideology.
• 1996 Former ruler Kérékou defeats Soglo in controversial election.
• 2001 Kérékou reelected to presidency amid claims of electoral fraud.