Area: 112.694 Km²
Population: 6.591.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 58 pop/Km²

System of government: Presidential Republic
Capital: Porto-Novo (200.000 pop.)
Major cities: Cotonou 500.000 pop. (1.060.000 urban aggl.)
Ethnic majority: Fon 40%, Yoruba 12%, Adja 11%, Somba 5%, others 32%
Border countries: Togo WEST, Burkina Faso NORTH-WEST, Niger NORTH, Nigeria EAST

Principal mountains: Atakora 641 m
Principal rivers: Ouémé 450 Km
Principal lakes: Lac Nokoué
Principal islands: -
Climate: Subtropical

Language: French (official), ethnic dialects
Religion: Indigenous Beliefs 65%, Catholic 17%, Muslim 15%, Protestant 3%
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc (XOF)