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Adopted on Nov. 16, 1959, the flag of the former French colony used the Pan-African colors. Yellow was for the savannas in the north and green was for the palm groves in the south. Red stood for the blood of patriots. In 1975 a Marxist-oriented government replaced the flag, but after the demise of Communism it was restored on Aug. 1, 1990. |
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Official name: République du Bénin (Republic of Benin).
Form of government: multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [83]).
Head of state and government: President, assisted by Prime Minister.
Population (1998): 6,101,000.
Population projection: (2000) 6,517,000; (2010) 8,955,000.
Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 33.0 (world avg. 15.7).
Land use (1995): agricultural and under permanent cultivation 17.0%; other 83.0% (of which [1994] forested 30.7%, meadows and pastures 4.0%).
Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,998,000,000 (U.S.$350 per capita). |
