Benin - Government
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesBenin is located Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. The climate is tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north. The terrain is mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains.
Country name
This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example)Country name - conventional long form : Republic of Benin
Country name - conventional short form : Benin
Country name - local long form : Republique du Benin
Country name - local short form : Benin
Country name - former : Dahomey
Government type
This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.)Government type : republic
Capital
This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.Capital - name : Porto-Novo (official capital)
Capital - geographic coordinates : 6 29 N, 2 37 E
Capital - time difference : UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Capital - note : Cotonou (seat of government)
Administrative divisions
This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted.Administrative divisions : 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Independence
For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note.Independence : 1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday
This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day.National holiday : National Day, 1 August (1960)
Constitution
This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments.Constitution : adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Legal system
This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.Legal system : based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted.Suffrage : 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections include the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election.Executive branch - chief of state : President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Executive branch - head of government : President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)
Executive branch - cabinet : Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Executive branch - elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011)
Executive branch - election results : Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%
Legislative branch
This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.Legislative branch - elections : last held 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)
Legislative branch - election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Judicial branch
This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.Judicial branch : Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders
This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders.Political parties and leaders - note : approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders
This entry includes a listing of a country's political, social, labor, or religious organizations that are involved in politics, or that exert political pressure, but whose leaders do not stand for legislative election. International movements or organizations are generally not listed.Political pressure groups and leaders - other : economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups
International organization participation
This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.International organization participation : ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission : Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery : 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone : [1] (202) 232-6656
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX : [1] (202) 265-1996
Diplomatic representation from the US
This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission : Ambassador Gayleatha B. BROWN
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy : Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address : 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone : [229] 21-30-06-50
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX : [229] 21-30-03-84
Flag description
This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.Flag description : two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side
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