Officially name: The Republic of Benin
Capital: Porto-Novo
Largest city: Cotonou
Official language: French
Government: Multiparty democracy
The majority of Benin's population lives in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 59 years. About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also migrated within the country.
Benin excites everybody's love for the mysterious and unfamiliar with its title, ‘the cradle of voodoo’ but it is hardly the place to visit for historical or architectural splendours.