The People's Republic of Benin (formerly Dahomey) is located north of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated states in Africa.

Formerly one of the provinces of French West Africa, Benin became an independent state on Aug.1, 1960. The country has been plagued by coups and counter-coups. For some years Marxism-Leninism was the state ideology.

Products: Palm oil, Kernel, Peanuts, Cotton, Coffee and Tobacco.

Food crops: Cassava, Yams, Maize, Sorghum.

Industry: Few Factories. Palm Oil-Processing, Brewing, Sugar.