Population: 6,590,782

Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Background: Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991.

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF, No information)

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.