ctive: Beninese

Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important
being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%

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

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 37%
male: 48.7%
female: 25.8%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Benin
conventional short form: Benin
local long form: Republique du Benin
local short form: Benin
former: Dahomey

Data code: BN

Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted
February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991

Capital: Porto-Novo

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique,
Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou

Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990)

Constitution: 2 December 1990

Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU
(since 4 April 1996) was elected for a five-year term by popular
vote; election last held 18 March 1996 (next to be held March 2001);
results - Mathieu KEREKOU 52.49%, Nicephore SOGLO 47.51%
cabinet: Executive Council, appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 28
March 1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (83 total) Renaissance Party and allies 20, PRD 19,
FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2,
Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, ADP 1, other 16

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: as of February 1996, more than 80
political parties were officially recognized; the following are
represented in the National Assembly: Alliance of the National Party
for Democracy and Development (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal
Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO; Action for Renewal and Development
(FARD-ALAFIA), Mathieu KEREKOU; Alliance of the Social Democratic
Party (PSD) and the National Union for So