BENIN
The Republic of Benin is an independent State in West Africa. It is bordered on the north by Burkina Faso and Niger, on the east by Nigeria, on the south by the Gulf of Guinea and on the west by Togo. Formerly a member of the French Community. An Associate Member of the European Union (EU) and a member of UDEAO. |
|
| CAPITAL | Port Novo. |
| PRINCIPAL PORTS | Cotonou and Porto Novo |
| POPULATION | 4.7 million. |
| LANGUAGE(S) | French. |
| WEIGHTS AND MEASURES | Metric system. |
| ELECTRICITY SUPPLY | 220v. 50 cycles AC. |
| CURRENCY(-IES) | 1 CFA Franc = 100 Centimes. |
| EXCHANGE RATE | CFA Francs 837.50 = £1 Sterling (fluctuating rate). |
| TIME | GMT (1 hour behind BST). |
DIALLING CODE |
00 229 |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS | Jan. 1, 10; Mar. 6; Apr. 15, 16; May 1, 24; Jun. 4; Aug. 1, 15; Oct. 26; Nov. 1, 30; Dec. 25. |
| EMBASSY | 87 Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris (Tel: 00 33 14500 9882). Honorary Consulate: Dolphin House, 16 The Broadway, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4DW (Tel: 0208-954 8800, fax: 0208-954 8844, telex: 24620); hours 10.00-12.30, 2-4.30, closed Sats. |
| BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION | 16 Eleke Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos (Postal address: Private Mail Bag 12136, Lagos) Nigeria (Tel: 619531, 619537, 619541, 619543, 619566, telex 21247 a/b UKREP NG). |
| CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Benin, (BP 31) Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Cotonou. |