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Full country name: Republic of Benin
Area: 110,620 sq km
Population: 225,000
People: Fon and Adja (40%), Yoruba (12%), Bariba (9%), Betamaribé, Fulani (6%), and 37 smaller ethnic groups
Language: French (official), Fon, Yoruba and almost fifty other tribal languages
Religion: Animism (Voodoo) (70%), Muslim (15%), Christian (20%)
Government: Democratic republic
Getting There

By Air
There are direct flights to Benin from cities in Russia, France, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and the UK. Air Afrique flies from the USA to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), and then connects to Cotonou. Benin does not have its own carrier. The international airport, Cotonou Cadjehoun (COO), is in Cotonou, 5km away from the city centre. One can take taxis and car-hire facilities to the city.

By Rail
Benin is not linked to other countries by rail as yet. The first of its kind is yet to be constructed by from Niamey in Niger to Parakou.

By Road
Benin is well connected by roads and driving in from Niger, Ghana and Togo is a good option. Buses and taxis are also available on these routes. One can take a bush taxi from Dantokpa in Cotonou. Taxis are easy to get and should be pretty cheap.

By Sea
Shipping companies have cargo services to and from the two main ports of Benin, Porto Novo and Cotonou. Local shipping from Lagos arrives in Porto Novo.