Benin
6 28 '00 "N 2 36' 00" E / 6.46667, 2.6
| Republic of Benin (en) | |||||
| |||||
| Motto : Fraternity, Justice, Labor | |||||
 | |||||
| Official language | French | ||||
| Capital | Porto-Novo 6 29'N 2 36'E / 6483, 2.6 | ||||
| Largest city | Cotonou | ||||
| Form of State | Republic | ||||
| - President of the Republic | Thomas Yayi Boni | ||||
| Area - Total - Water (%) | Ranked 100 th 114 763 km 2 1.8% | ||||
| Population - Total ( 2009 ) - Density | Ranked 95 th 8,791,833 inhab. 60 inhabitants / km 2 | ||||
| Independence - Date | of France 1 August 1960 | ||||
| Demonym | Benin (e) | ||||
| Currency | CFA franc ( XOF ) | ||||
| Time Zone | UTC 1 | ||||
| National anthem | New Dawn | ||||
| Internet domain | . Bj | ||||
| Indicative Telephone | +229 | ||||
(1) the Fon-gbe , the Yoruba , the Bariba , the Goun-gbe , the Aja-Gbe and Ayizo-gbe have the status of national languages | |||||
Benin, in long form the Republic of Benin (in Yoruba : is a country of West Africa , covering an area of 114,000 km 2 and extends over 670 km, the river Niger north to the coast Atlantic to the south. Benin has 8.8 million inhabitants in 2009. The country is part of the ECOWAS. It has as neighbors Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and the Niger and Burkina Faso to the north.
The Benin gained full independence on 1 August 1960 , under the name Republic of Dahomey. The credentials were sent to the president Hubert Maga by the Minister of State French Louis Jacquinot. In 1972 , the officer Kerekou took power: it adopts in 1974 the Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology of the government and in 1975 , renamed the country the People's Republic of Benin. In the late 1980s , severe economic difficulties lead to the end of the plan: Benin began a process of democratic transition and in 1990 adopted a new constitution. The name of Benin is preserved, the country simply becoming the Republic of Benin. Kerekou , are defeated, leaves office. He returned democratically through the ballot box in 1996 , and does not restore the dictatorship, he ruled the country until 2006.
The city official is Porto Novo , Cotonou is the economic capital.
Dubbed a time the " Latin Quarter of Africa ", Benin as official language the French currency and as the CFA franc. Benin's political system is like the presidential and the current president is Yayi Boni , who succeeded Kerekou elections on 19 March 2006.
Since the end of the Republic of Benin, Benin has a very strong image in any democratic country in the sub-Saharan Africa.
Summary |
Geography
Location and boundaries
Shape stretched between the River Niger to the north and the coastal plain in the south, the relief of the whole country is very broken. The north is mainly composed of savannas and semi-arid highlands. The highest point is Mount Sagboroa to 658 meters. The southern region consists of a low coastal plain dotted with swamps, lakes and lagoons such as the Nokou lake or lagoon of Porto Novo.
The majority of the population lives in the southern coastal plains, where Benin's largest cities are concentrated, including Porto Novo and Cotonou.
The country is located in a tropical zone, its climate is hot and humid, with relatively little rain, although there are two rainy seasons (April to July and September-November).
The International Court of Justice of the United Nations, which sits in The Hague , described the 12 July 2005 the final border between Benin and Niger on the islands in the beds of rivers Niger and Mekrou : nine islands were granted in Benin and sixteen, including that of Lete, Niger.
Photos of Benin
Door of no return in Ouidah , sad sign of the slave past of the city
Market Grand-Popo
North
 | Click on a thumbnail to enlarge |
Climate
The climate is tropical, hot and humid throughout with hints of seasonal and geographical extension of the country imposed in latitude, topography and the changing seasons.
It rains 900 to 1300 mm of water per year, the wettest areas are in the southeast corner of Cotonou to Porto Novo , the Atacora between Natitingou and Djougou , regions of Dassa and Ndali north of Parakou. The maximum rainfall of the south (equatorial climate), from mid-March to mid-July, and lowest in November and December.
The monsoon , ocean and full of moisture, blows from April to November in south-west. The harmattan , dry continental, is blowing in the opposite direction of the monsoon (from the north, the Sahel ), from November to May, bringing dust orange tan.
The moisture content, always important, between 65 and 95%. The average temperature remains between 22 and 34 C, April and May being the hottest months (just after the Harmattan blew for 6 months before the monsoon does its rains).
Environment
History
Settlement
The country consists of two geographical areas:
- The north (now the border Niger and Burkina Faso ) who has known the fate of the peoples of the savanna.
- The south and central regions which are marked by the history of the peoples of the Gulf of Guinea.
We find that opposition in the qualifications of "African granaries" and "African baskets. The first refers to the attic of maize or millet found in African savannah, as in Mali , Niger and Burkina Faso. The second is around the equator and is in west Africa, south of all the littoral countries of the Gulf of Guinea. In the latter, due to the equatorial climate favorable to agriculture , nothing is stored, you just have to "wear".
Until the fifteenth century , many peoples of the savanna settled in the north:
Even as people settle in coastal southern and central:
The old social organization
Ancient communities are structured in their lineages. Living on small areas, these populations do not need political organization. As for their social organization, it is based on respect for customs and dead ancestors. The authority it exercises orally by sharing these traditions. We always find such populations in the north-west: Berba , Kaby or Taneka.
When several lines come together, they form themselves into chiefdoms. The chief may be a representative of an ancient family or a priest. It is surrounded by dignitaries, each handling a group activity and forming a board.
From the fifteenth century , the social structure becomes more complex and kingdoms appear. This has identified three major cultural areas: Bariba north, Yoruba and Aja - Ewe in the south.
Realms Bariba
The north has undergone several kingdoms Bariba (or Baatombu) and including the kingdom of Nikki. It is from this village in the north-east a dynasty, founded in XVI century by Sunon Sero , extended his domination over the region. Its last king, Sero Kpra , died in 1831 while fighting alongside the Yorubas of Oyo (Nigeria) attacks by Fulani. The kingdom is in disarray when the invading colonial armies in the late nineteenth century. Other kingdoms like Bariba Kouande with Bagana, with Koubourou Parakou, and Kandi with Saka were also quite famous.
Their societies are organized into strict social classes: noble warriors, griots, commoners farmers, craftsmen and slaves. Bariba gather around the feast of Gani. It is a festival of culture and identity celebrated annually throughout the kingdom Bariba around Sina Boko Nikki.
The Yoruba kingdoms
The area of influence of Yoruba covers the east and are distinguished into two kingdoms: the kingdom of Shab-Okpa and the Kingdom of Ktou. These two kingdoms were created by two brothers, descendants of the king of Ife Okanda (along with the kingdoms of Owu, Popo, Benin, Ila Orangun and Oyo). Besides these two kingdoms, there is a Yoruba population emigration oldest: the dacha and the WEI and Isha. It should be added to this group manigri the former.
Realms Aja-Ewe
According to ancient oral and written traditions, the Aja-Ewe migrate from the fourteenth century the town of Tado , located on the banks of the River Mono in Togo. They established two kingdoms in the south: in Sahelian and Savi , and Davi corresponding to the current city of Allada.
Around 1620 , the heirs of the kingdom of Allada vie for the throne. Their stems split the formation of two additional kingdoms. Southeast, Zozrigb created the Kingdom of Hogbonou in the town of Adjatch, future Porto-Novo. And north Hougbadja (1645-1689) established the kingdom of Dahomey , from his capital Abomey.
In the eighteenth century , a series of conquests is done under the authority of twelve traditional kings, beginning with Gangnihessou. In 1724 , Agadja ( 1708 - 1732 ) captured the king of Dahomey kingdom of Allada. Then in 1727 , he submitted that Savi. In 1741 , it was the turn of Ouidah to fall under the yoke of his successor Tegbessou.
The country now has a large window on the sea kingdom has become customary to exchange, commercially and politically, with the Portuguese and Dutch arrived in the late fifteenth century. Dahomey became an organized political entity, very original in the region. The kingdom is a dominant power. King Hougbadja has at her disposal a contingent of women amazons , ancient huntresses of elephants. It's a complex society, refined, efficient but also violent and bloody, especially during royal funeral which were accompanied by human sacrifice.
From the seventeenth century , these kingdoms, which are structured around the cities of Allada and Abomey Hogbonou, thrive with the development of local trade. Dutch, Portuguese, Danish , English and French install along the " Slave Coast "trading posts with impunity.
- 1650 : Construction of an English fort at Whydah
- 1664 : installation of Capuchin missionaries in Ouidah Breton
- 1704 : Construction of a French fort at Ouidah
- 1752 : Portuguese settlement of Hogbonou they renamed Porto-Novo in 1782
In the first half of the nineteenth century , King Guzo Dahomey develops the culture of oil palm and introduced new crops (maize, tomato, peanuts, tobacco). Villages and perfectly clean, tidy and cultures in the land.
Colonization
In 1851, France signed a treaty of friendship and trade with the head of Porto-Novo Toffa I. King, a vassal of King Glele of Dahomey , who reigned from 1858 to 1889.
By the treaties of 1868 and 1878 , the area of Cotonou , between Ouidah , Portuguese trading post, and Porto-Novo , was ceded to France.
In 1883, the king of Porto-Novo , wishing to protect themselves from the expansionist aims of Dahomey , signed a treaty of protectorate with France.
One of the most legendary kings of the kingdom of Dahomey , the noble king Behanzin (whose emblem shark) attacked the French in 1890 at Cotonou , kept 73 days of the French hostages, then attacked other villages Puerto noviens protected the French. He said even the French to leave him alone, defying proudly: "If you want war, I'm ready." The insolence of Behanzin towards the French was deemed intolerable and especially timely, a good opportunity for France to end this kingdom.
Behanzin was captured in January 1894 and deported to Martinique. French schools were grouped in the colony of Dahomey. In the north, the kingdom of Nikki Bariba, which reached its apogee in the eighteenth century before encountering the expansionism of the Nigerian kingdom of Ilorin, put up a fierce resistance to French colonization.
In 1899, Dahomey integration of French West Africa (FWA) in the French colonial empire. The boundaries were established by mutual agreement with the United Kingdom (then fixed in Nigeria ) and with Germany (this time in Togo ).
After the First World War , education becomes very important, especially through religious missions, and develops mainly in the south that will become a major political and intellectual centers of the AOF.
It was at that time that were founded many political parties, while the press was growing opposition to the colonial system. A supporter of Free France during the Second World War , Dahomey became an autonomous state within the French Community in 1958. The country gained its independence on 1 August 1960 and entered the following month, the UN under the name Republic of Dahomey.
Independence
Since independence, Benin has experienced a turbulent political history. The first twelve years were marked by chronic instability, the former colonial elites, mostly from the South was fought over power.
In 1963, the North wants revenge, while the elites and the new bourgeoisie seem little concerned by the many challenges of underdevelopment. During this period a certain Colonel Christophe Soglo (the uncle of Nicephore Soglo ) arrives on the country's political scene, forcing Hubert Maga , the first President of the Republic of Dahomey independent, to resign.
In six years, recorded four coups and military regimes from brief periods shorten civilian who see themselves succeed Sourou Migan Apithy , Ahomadegb Justin and Emile Derlin Zinsou in power.
In 1970, a Presidential Council consisting of three members, Maga, and Apithy Ahomadegb (one to three rotating presidency) took power and suspended the Constitution. The round of Presidents could not be reached. Indeed, only Maga was selected to spend two years at the head of Dahomey. Just Ahomadegb he started his turn in 1972 towards the army, under the direction of Captain Kerekou , decides to take control of the government, dismissed the Presidential Council, and Kerekou becomes the new head of state Dahomey. It quickly assumed command. But the military are helpless without the program and without ideas. Their power is empty and in this vacuum that will engulf the ideas of young soldiers and students who have lived in France for the period May 1968.
The People's Republic of Benin (1974-1990)
In November 1974, Kerekou imposes Marxism-Leninism as the official state ideology. In 1975, to reduce the political clout of the South, the name of Dahomey is symbolically abandoned for that of Benin, named after the kingdom that had once flourished in Nigeria neighbor. The country takes the official name of Republic of Benin.
Extensive programs of economic and social development are in place, but highlight the results are mixed. Elected president by the Revolutionary National Assembly in 1980 , reelected in 1984 , Kerekou escaped three attempts coup in 1988.
In the 1980s, the economic situation in Benin is increasingly critical. In 1987 , the plans of the IMF impose draconian economic measures: an additional 10% levy on wages, hiring freeze, retirements from office. In 1989 , a new agreement with the IMF on a program of adjustment of economic structures triggers a massive strike of students and staff. Benin, began a democratic transition in conjunction with the process of economic reforms.
A transitional government, established in 1990 , paving the way for the return of democracy and multiparty system. Prime Minister Nicephore Soglo , def Kerekou in the presidential election of March 1991.
Years of Renewal
Nicephore Soglo restores the voodoo to reconcile the traditional powers and is 10 January of each year a National Day of voodoo. However, structural adjustment and public spending cuts recommended by the IMF invigorate the general discontent of the population. In addition, illegal trafficking traditional flourish in the open (whiskey, gasoline, cement, cars ...)
After losing its majority in the legislature, the president Nicephore Soglo , accused of nepotism by his opponents, was defeated by Kerekou the presidential 17 March 1996. It is a shock to Nicephore Soglo who cried after the conspiracy, sent his congratulations to Kerekou and went to meditate more than four months out of Africa, the reasons for its fatal mistakes.
Democratically Kerekou is back on the political scene in Benin, having ruled the country for seventeen years (from 1972 to 1990 ) in the political and economic fiasco of the now former People's Republic of Benin.
The parliamentary elections of March 1999 gave a narrow victory in the Renaissance of Benin (RB), the opposition movement led by Rosine Soglo, wife of former President Nicephore Soglo. These elections mark the failure of the African Movement for Democracy and Progress (MADEP), Party of relatives of President Krkou businessman Sfou Fagbohoun.
However, in March 2001 , Kerekou was reelected president with 84.06% of votes. Topped the first round, against his predecessor Nicephore Soglo , he will face the withdrawal of the latter as well as that of Adrien Houngbedji came third. Both candidates have resigned described the election as "farce".
Tarnished by suspicions of electoral fraud and sixty-seven, Kerekou starts a second consecutive term in fragile economic conditions.
Hope Boni Yayi
Since 2001, Benin has plunged into serious economic difficulties because of the difficult situation of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, the oil crisis, the crisis in the cotton sector, smuggling extensive, overstaffing of government or the serious electricity supply problems created by drought. Benin is in a difficult economic period that only agriculture is very diversified managed to keep competitive with its neighbors.
Thus, the elections of March 2006 , the Beninese have decided to express their "Fed up" and that the political novice, former president of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Dr. Yayi Boni succeeds surprise to Kerekou with 75% of the vote (note a strong turnout of 76%).
Kerekou who refused to change the Constitution has not been represented. He was nevertheless opposed Yayi Boni, too novice to his liking.
Indeed, just days before results of former president, known as the chameleon, the country was plunged into doubt, saying publicly that in the conduct of the election there had been shortcomings in the organization, with problems with voter lists and voter cards.
Despite this, the coordination of independent international observers welcomed during a press conference in Cotonou , the course of the second round of presidential elections in Benin, thinking he had been "very good performance."
Politics and administration
On 6 April 2006 , the new President of the Republic of Benin, Dr. Yayi Boni , 54, was officially installed in office in Porto-Novo.
The new president who advocates a "Cooperative Republic of solidarity ', outlined the four priorities of his mandate are human resources, collaborative governance, development of entrepreneurship, building new infrastructure.
The former president of the West African Development Bank (BOAD) is elected president after the second round on 5 March 2006 , collecting 74.51% of the votes against 25.49% for Me Adrien Houngbedji, who presented his congratulations to newly elected.
Independent candidate Yayi Boni has rallied the Beninese political stars such as Albert Tvodjr , Emile Derlin Zinsou and a score of deputies to the National Assembly before receiving voting instructions from almost all its competitors in the first round at after which he had accumulated just over 35% against 24% for its continuing Me Adrien Houngbedji.
Apparently, the voting instructions have been followed. However, some observers believe that with or without instructions, the "candidate of change" would have happened. In the eyes of voters, especially young people and business community, Boni Yayi (economist) embodies the hope of economic recovery, the lessening of unemployment, the fight against corruption, good governance.
The successor to Kerekou promised a rate of double-digit growth (about 5% currently) and the positioning of the head of the Benin cotton producers in West Africa from the 2006-2007 crop year.
Although surrounded by the entire political class, Yayi Boni refuses to do politicking. "We came to produce wealth," he said, refusing to form a "government of thanks." However, informed sources indicate that he has asked political parties to propose frameworks for government formation.
The legislative elections of 31 March 2007 show the majority of the Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin (FCBE).
Territorial division
Benin is divided into twelve departments :
Economy
Benin is a country with poor subsoil, which lives primarily from its port and its agriculture. Strategic gateway for access to a market of 200 million consumers, Benin is the strategic gateway that provides access to a vast market francophone and anglophone 200 million consumers.
Open to the Gulf of Guinea, the Port of Cotonou, Benin is the maritime gateway of three landlocked countries of the hinterland, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Benin is also a producer of cotton , that has experienced great difficulties in recent years, but also corn , of cassava , of sorghum , of palm oil and millet.
Benin has also tourist attractions, geography and culture, though still significant undeveloped: beaches and lakeside villages in the south, animal parks in the north, high place of slavery and the cradle of voodoo.
95% of Benin's economy is informal and state tax revenues are scarce despite high taxation for business formal space.
Benin is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa.
The geographical location of Benin and its current territorial dynamics (economic, political, cultural, demographic) make the country into West Africa which has the largest economic and political potential for the next 50 years (subject to securing land, infrastructure development of road, rail and sea and consolidation of democracy).
- Cultural proximity language ( Yoruba and related languages) and with immediate geographic Nigeria (English speaking country and most populated of Africa).
- Political stability.
- A place of passage between its western neighbors (Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal) and other countries of sub-sahrienne having a coastline on the sea via Nigeria and vice versa.
- A coastline on the Atlantic Ocean makes it a transit point with several cities "Warehouse" to serve the hinterland countries (Burkina Faso, Niger ,...).
- Literacy sustained a pool of talent and dynamism in higher education.
- Diaspora (Nigeria, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Canada, United States, Russia, China and France) increasingly active in the return and transfer of skills.
Population and Society
Demographics
The independence of the sixties and better living conditions that followed have enabled the population to increase.
Benin has no less than forty different ethnic groups, the largest being the Fon in 2006 representing approximately 1,435,000 inhabitants of Benin's population .
This country has received perfect scores on his evaluation by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants ( U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)) based on criteria derived from the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
The share of urban population in 2008 was 41%.
Languages
Most of these ethnic groups have their own language, although French, is the official language, is spoken in most cities. Of the indigenous languages, the languages his , Yoruba and goun are most spoken in the south with the Adja, Mina, while the tori Bariba , the Dendi , the Ditamari or Kotokoli are further north.
Religions
Religions animist African predominate. We can not talk without mentioning of Benin from the voodoo in Benin society. However a significant proportion of the population is Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and Muslim.
| Share | Religion |
|---|---|
| 42.8% | Christianity |
| 24.4% | Islam |
| 17.3%% | Animism - Voodoo |
| 6% | Other |
in Christianity it is noted that the rate of the Evangelists is increasing Education In Benin, education is considered a national priority for economic development and poverty reduction. In October 2006 the government proclaimed the free access to preschool and primary education. The Benin allocates approximately 19% of its budget to education. The effort focused on the education and technical and vocational training enables Benin to have a skilled workforce with a competitive labor cost. Indeed, nearly 8000 graduate of Technical Education and Vocational and nearly a thousand frames of Higher Education released each year of the education system. The training areas are the most common: Despite the competence and professional qualities of the workforce in Benin, his salary is still relatively low. There is great freedom in Benin press. The 1990 constitution guarantees and protects freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, in articles 23 and 24. Article 23 states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, worship, opinion and expression in respect of public order established by law and regulations." Article 24 stipulates that "freedom of the press is recognized and guaranteed by the state. It is protected by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) under the conditions laid down by an organic law. " Also, because of that, there exists a "boom" of the media, in one of the poorest countries in the world. In the economic capital, Cotonou, with its million inhabitants, about forty daily newspapers are published, perhaps the world record - although there are more than 50% illiterate. The eight million inhabitants of Benin can follow ORTB state and more than 70 private radio stations and four private television stations. Most of the more than 1,000 journalists have only trained on the job. During the dictatorship, two thirds of the journalists were trained by the state. The new media are economically weak and because of that sensitive to corruption - only about five are profitable. They receive a small state budget and very few advertisers. Also, journalists are often students seeking work, unemployment is high. According to Reporters Without Borders in 2009, Benin is the 72 th place in the global rankings on the freedom of the press , out of 175 countries. Several sports are practiced in Benin such as football, basketball, athletics, judo, archery, swimming, handball and many others. Each discipline is a member of a national federation, subregional and international. Since the 2009-2010 season football became professionnel.En athletics, Benin holds the Senior African Championships in Athletics in Puerto Novo.L Benin relies on some of their athletes as AKPO Roman BAHOROU Fiacre GNALIGO Mathieu , Gougou Yaovi and many others for the upcoming competitions. Beninese music is less known abroad than other African music, though some of its artists are big international stars like Angelique Kidjo , Wally Badarou or the late Pedro Gnonnas. Even if there are rhythms and musical styles unique to country (Tchinck, Soyoyo, Zekede, etc. ...), it is true that international they are not very resumed. But, too large musical styles as different types of salsa , for example have their roots in the rhythms animist and voodoo ceremonies in Benin and Orishas. These rhythms are still present in the Antilles ( Cuba , Haiti , Puerto Rico, Jamaica ) and South America ( Brazil ...). Note also that the hip hop movement is also very present in Benin in recent years with youth: the mixing French, English and traditional styles gives also quite remarkable. (*) Estimated date variable: the Islamic celebration are determined by the state of the moon and set just before Benin has codes for: West African Development Central Bank of the West Africa West African Monetary Zone South Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Comoros Congo DR Congo Cte d'Ivoire Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Equatorial Guinea Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritius Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Uganda Rwanda Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic 1Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Chad Togo Tunisia Zambia Zimbabwe Media
Information technology and communication
Sport
Cultural Heritage
Architectural heritage
Gastronomy
Literature
Painting
Sculpture
Photo
Cinema
Music
Holidays and Celebrations
Date Name Celebration Indication January 1 New Year's Day Civil First day of the year of the Gregorian calendar January 10 Day voodoo Traditional Celebration of traditional religions Variable date
25 April 2011
9 April 2012 Monday of Easter Christian Resurrection of Jesus , the day after the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon of spring May 1 Labor Day Civil International Workers' Day Variable date
2 June 2011
17 May 2012 Ascension Christian Rise of Jesus to heaven , 40 days after Easter Variable date
13 June 2011
28 May 2012 Monday of Pentecost Christian Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles , 50 days after Easter August 1 National Day Civil Independence Day August 15 Assumption Christian Rise of the Mother of Jesus in Heaven November 1 Toussaint Christian Celebration of all saints December 25 Christmas Christian Birth of Jesus * Estimated date varies
26 February 2010 Maouloud Muslim Birthday of Muhammad , the 12th of Rabia al-Awal * Estimated date varies
21 September 2009
10 September 2010 Ramadan Muslim Feast of Breaking the Fast and the 1st of the month of Shawwal * Estimated date varies
27 November 2009
16 November 2010 Tabaski Muslim Sacrifice of Ishmael , the 10th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah Health
Miscellaneous
Codes
References
See also
Bibliography
Related articles
External Links
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