General Informations on Benin
The coast of Benin is formed by a long sandy strip exposed to a strong undertow. This coastal strip is followed by a series of estuaries and lagoons. Further north the fertile stretch "Terre de Barre", and even further north, the swamps Lama regularly flooded and formed from peat lands that are difficult to dry. Related to an agricultural area north. In the rest of the country, soils are generally poor, often ferruginous hard. In the northernmost part, is a barren plateau of 488 m above sea level. North-west rises the mass of the Atakora (800 m). The main river in northeast Niger, which forms part of the border with the republic of the same name, and its tributaries, the Sota, and the Mekrou Alibori.
Climate
In southern Benin kingdom an equatorial climate. The duration of the dry season gets longer as you go north. The south precipitation is around 1270 mm per year and mainly concentrated from March to July and from September to November. Temperatures average 20 ° C to 34 ° C. North as the temperatures are high and the annual precipitation reaches 890 mm. The rainy season extends from May to September.
Fauna / Flora
Formerly, a tropical wet forest, very dense, covering much of the country behind the coastal strip. This forest has been cleared, except near rivers, and palms are now the most common trees. The center of the country is largely covered with forest and to the north, drier savannah dominates. Wildlife includes buffalo, antelope, leopards, monkeys, crocodiles and wild ducks.
Politics / History
In the early seventeenth century, three different dynasties founded the kingdoms of Allada, Abomey and Hogbonu (Porto Novo). The state established in Abomey managed to expand its territory and became the kingdom of Dahomey, which dominated the region until the nineteenth century and drew its strength mainly from the slave trade. In 1899, Dahomey was incorporated into French West Africa as Dahomey. Its exact boundaries were defined in agreement with Great Britain and Germany, which had colonized the neighboring regions to the east and west.
During the Second World War, Dahomey supported the interests of the Free French in 1946 and became one of the french overseas territories. From 1958 to 1960, he was an autonomous republic within the French Community. Benin declared its independence in August 1960. The first 12 years of independence, during which the old elites of the colonial era are disputed power were marked by constant political instability.
Hubert Maga, the first president of independent Dahomey was deposed by the military in 1963 and during the six years that followed took place four coup attempts. In 1970, a presidential council of three members took power and suspended the constitution. In 1972, the Mathieu Kérékou seized power at the sixth coup that took place since independence.
In November 1975, the country became known as Benin. Kerekou was elected president in 1980 by the Revolutionary National Assembly and confirmed in office in 1984. Four years later, he survived a military coup. Prime Minister Nicéphore Soglo Kérékou defeated in the presidential elections of March 1991. The political situation that followed the election was anything but stable since, until parliamentary elections in 1995, Soglo could count on the support of 15 of the 64 members of the National Assembly. During the presidential elections in March 1996, Kerekou returned to power and was reelected in 2001. The existing territorial conflicts with Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Nigeria have required numerous negotiations. In 2004, a commission was established to find a solution in the dispute with Nigeria.
Economy
Benin is one of the poorest countries in Africa. As the colonial era, its economy is dependent on agriculture and regional trade. Agriculture accounts for 35% of gross national product and employs almost two thirds of the population. In the seventies, many private companies were nationalized.
Under an economic reform program, supported by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the privatization of some companies has been started in the ninety-ten. It is also intended to limit government spending to reduce the large deficit of the State. Benin is a member of the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS), an organization aimed at promoting economic cooperation and development. In 2003, inflation was 1.7%.
Culture
The cultural history of Benin is very rich. For over a century, the culture of the legendary kingdom of Dahomey has attracted attention and led to wonder. At the time, art had a spiritual purpose as well as practical. The majority of artists had the right to work for their respective sovereign family. Remarkable tapestries and bronzes were made among others. The Royal Palaces of Abomey were classified World Heritage by UNESCO in 1985. Music plays an important role during religious festivals. The religion of the Fon and Yoruba, known as voodoo or orisha, is linked to a particular musical style. The followers of the voodoo religion organize a broad musical theater with many dances. The spirits, which at times took possession of the living, are a central theme in the religious rites of the Yoruba.
The music took a decisive role: monitoring the state of trance. In the Adja, the music is the main element of funeral rites. The drum of water, half a calabash floating in a clay container, plays an important role.