Benin
Background : Benin was the first African country to successfully transfer power from a dictatorship to democracy Location : Western Africa, between Nigeria and Togo Area : Over 1000,000 sq km, 101st in the world Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Coast : 121 km, Difficult access due to sandbanks Population : Almost 9.5 million, 89th in the world Birth rate : Over 38 births/1000 population; 15th in the world Life expectancy at birth : 59.84 years, 188th in the world HIV/AIDS : 1.2%, 39th in the world Health : Very high risk of major infectious disease Official language : French Literacy : Only 23.3% for women over the age of 15 Capital : Porto-Novo Disputes : Many border issues with neighbors, including Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria Cuisine : Staples include corn and yam. Fruit is easy to find, but meat is expensive Source: CIA World Factbook It wasn't very hard to figure out the national dish o...