Benin - Country Profile

Benin, formerly Dahomey, is one of the most stable democracies in Africa vividly. Proliferation of political parties and a strong civil society. From an economic point of view but the picture is less Benin is very underdeveloped, and corruption thrives Bank in Benin. understands what is known as the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped across the Atlantic. out elements of culture and religion, the slaves in the region are still in America are, including voodoo. Once banned in Benin, the religion is celebrated every year in the country Voodoo Day, which attracts thousands of clergy.

Before the France in the late 1800's, the area that several independent states, including the Kingdom of Dahomey, which a standing army was well trained and focused settled on the export of slaves and later palm oil. Instability marked the first years after independence from France, found in 1960 and the first part of the state Kérékou, Lord of the Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology. But in 1980 Mr Kérékou from the army to a civilian head of state and economic liberalization has become.

While Benin has seen a steady growth in recent years seen and one of the largest cotton producers in Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on trade with its eastern neighbor, Nigeria. In the north, sporadic clashes along the border with Benin, Burkina Faso have been. The problem was due to land disputes between rival communities on either side of the border. Thousands of Togolese refugees fled to Benin in 2005 following political unrest in their homeland. Benin called for international assistance to help house and feed the exiles.