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| Capital: | Porto-Novoa | ||||
| Largest city: | Cotonou | ||||
| Other cities: | Parakou, Natitingou, Abomey-Calavi, Djougou, Parakou, Tchaourou, Kandi, Bohicon, Malanville and Ouidah. | ||||
| Language: | French, Fon and Yoruba. | ||||
| Religion: | Christian and Vudoun (Voodoo), with a Muslim and pagan minority | ||||
| Demonym: | Beninese | ||||
| Type of government: | Presidential Republic | ||||
| President of the Republic: | Thomas Boni Yayi | ||||
| President of the National Assembly: | Antoine Idji Kolawolé | ||||
| Population: | 6,785,245 | ||||
| Established: | 1958 | ||||
| Currency: | CFA Frank | ||||
| Organisations: | FIFA, IOC, ECAMOG, African Union, UN, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, La Francophonie and Economic Community of West African, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, the African Petroleum Producers Association and the Niger Basin Authority.States. | ||||
The poor, agrarian state is doing modestly well. It is currently stable and water security is not an issue in the north. cotton, pineapples, bananas and furniture are to be developed for export.