Mathieu Kérékou
President

(pronounced "mah-tee-OO kay-ray-KOO")

"I formulate the wish that the entire country will live in peace, concord, and tolerance, and the democratic gains will be consolidated in order to create the proper conditions for a stable, durable, peaceful and harmonious development."

Known as the Republic of Dahomey before December 1975, Benin was a former French colony until independence was granted on 1 August 1960. This West African nation borders on Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, and Togo to the west. With a July 2002 estimated population of 6,787,625 inhabitants and a land mass of 112,620 sq km (43,483 sq mi), Benin is a small country compared with its neighbors.

Despite its size, Benin is composed of more than 40 ethnic groups. The largest indigenous groups are the Fon...