Everything you need to know about Benin: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Benin : The Unexplored African Safari
Benin was formerly known as the Dahomey Empire upholding a unique and medieval place in African lore. By the 18 th century, European settlers began arriving to this part while Portuguese, Dutch and French colonizers began settling at Africa Benin's coastline for trade purposes. However, the major influence was of France and in the year 1900, Benin became its colony and was ruled over by a French Governor. And in 1960, the country became the Republic of Benin and gained independence from French rule. In the past the Africa Benin was infamous for its slave trade, which flourished at Ouidah in Benin. Although Porto-Novo is the capital of Benin and its second largest city, culturally and politically, the Beninois city of Contonou is more important.
Fast-Facts on Benin :
Geography and Climate of Benin:
enin's terrain is varied ranging from flat, low-lying and coastal plains to rugged mountainous ranges in some parts. Mostly the area is arid and semi arid. Due to the presence of beaches along the coastal plains the land nearby is of marshy nature. Whereas, some parts in southern Benin are covered by thick forests comprising mangroves and majestic Baobab trees.
The climate of Benin is mostly tropical in nature characterized by humidity and extreme hot temperatures. It receives rainfall in the months of April to July. The summer lasts from December to April with temperature touching 31 degree Celsius and lowest being at 24 degree Celsius in winters. The annual precipitation averages 36cm level.
Benin Economy:
Benin's economy is primarily based on agriculture and cotton production forms an integral part of its economy. This contributes to 40% of Benin's GDP and rest accounts to export receipts. Besides this, Benin produces Cocoa, Corn, cassava, yams, cashews and other agriculture crops. It also produces limited quantities of oil from offshore areas.
Culture and Cuisine of Benin:
Beninois people represent a rich cultural influence of tribal customs. There is also a unifying theme in Benin culture, which is depicted through their music and dance. The tribal rites and rituals are popular among the locals organized at different events, festivals or just as a part of leisure. The nomadic influences can be seen through their arts and crafts and Voodoo culture.
Benin was majorly influenced by French culture, thereby the cultural influence is clearly depicted through their cuisines but it does not at all change the traditional flavor of Beninian cuisine. In fact the French flavor compliments the native Benin cuisines. Meat being expensive is consumed occasionally by the locals and also because of large availability of vegetables people rely on vegetarian diet. The dishes include corns, beans, yams, millet and cassava. The local drinks are Sodabi and Tchoucoutou.
Tourist Attractions in Benin:
Though not a very rich country Benin offers a plethora of tourist sites. One of the most significant sites is Cotonou, which is the center of business activities and the largest city. Porto Novo, the capital city of Benin is a small but important administrative town of the country. Besides this, it has an anthropological museum, which showcases the cultural remnants of the African tradition.
Some other Tourist Sites are :
• Cotonou:
• Ganvié
• Ouidah
• Abomey
• Natitingou
• Pendjari Game Park
• Possotom
• Nikki
• Natitingou
Ouidah (Benin), June 11 (IANS) Benin will become self-sufficient in tractors and could even export them to the West African region once a $15 million Indian-aided plant to produce 2,500 machines annually begins production a year from now.
London, June 3 (IANS) Spanish police have busted a ring involved in smuggling of women from Nigeria and forcing them into street prostitution by burning them with irons and using voodoo rituals.
Washington, Apr. 26 (ANI): Global attitudes regarding domestic violence have changed dramatically during the first decade of the 2000s, according to a new study.
Accra, April 19 (IANS) Ghanian President John Dramani Mahama has defied international sanctions to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the last leg of his three-nation West African tour that also took him to Benin and Niger.
Melbourne, Apr. 17 (ANI): A secret group of people called 'travel hackers' is vacationing around the world for free.
Abuja, April 6 (IANS) At least 60 people were killed when a luxury bus, a truck and a fuel-laden tanker collided in Nigeria, officials said.
Abu Dhabi, March 13 (IANS/WAM) The UAE and west African country of Benin have signed two agreements on the avoidance of double taxation on income and protection and promotion of investments.
Accra (Ghana) Jan 27 (IANS) As French-led international forces in Mali press on with their offensive against Islamist rebels, the situation has not had any impact on Indians living in the West African nation, an Indian official said. There are about 200 people of Indian origin living across Mali.
Accra (Ghana), Jan 2 (IANS) Indians invested over $4.5 billion in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, last year whilst other initiatives were put in place in Benin, Cameroon and Chad as part of efforts to improve ties between India and West African nations, Mahesh Sachdev, Indian High Commissioner in Abuja, said.
Accra (Ghana), Nov 19 (IANS) The Export?Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has spent upwards of $82 billion over the past year to support 156 lines of credit to 74 countries in Africa and elsewhere.
London, September 21 (ANI): Malarial mosquitoes may be able to adapt their behaviour in response to bed nets, a new study has claimed.
Washington, September 12 (ANI): In a new study, researchers have identified several novel genes that make some children more efficient than others in the way their immune system responds to malaria infection.
London, Aug 31 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Beninese midfielder Stephane Sessegnon has signed for three more years with English side Sunderland, the club said.
Moscow, Aug 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Pirates have seized a Greek-owned oil tanker with 24 Russian crew members on board off the coast of Togo in west Africa.
Abu Dhabi, July 25 (IANS/WAM) UAE's Etisalat telecommunications company has posted a net profit of 1.9 billion dirhams for the second quarter of 2012 ending June 30.
Addis Ababa, July 17 (IANS) African leaders ended their 19th biannual summit that saw the election of the first female head of the African Union Commission and a renewed pledge to push democracy and fast-track resolution of crises in the continent's hotspots, including Mali, the Sudans, Guinea Bissau and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Addis Ababa, July 17 (IANS) It's a mystery absence that has created a lot of hush-hush talk here. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been missing from the African Union summit, fanning speculation about the health of the 57-year-old leader who has helmed the country since 1991.
Addis Ababa, July 16 (IANS) It was midnight drama, intrigue and last-minute deal-making at the Chinese-built new building of the African Union as rival camps upped the stakes for the AU's top job, which has been won by South Africa's Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Addis Ababa, July 16 (IANS) The guessing game is over. In what was touted as the mother of all contests in the continent, South Africa's Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a doctor and anti-apartheid icon, has won a tightly-contested vote to become the first woman head of the African Union (AU) Commission.
Addis Ababa, July 14 (IANS) Africa is keeping its fingers crossed on the election for the the AU executive chief as South African President Jabob Zuma upped the diplomatic offensive for securing a majority for his candidate, Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is pitted against the incumbent Jean Ping, who is embroiled in fresh accusations of misusing his position.
Accra, July 10 (IANS) India is seeking to invest in Ghana'soil and gas sector and double trade with West Africa to $40 billion by 2015 as part of its growing efforts to play a larger role in the development of Africa as a whole.
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) An Indian business delegation of over 100 members, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, will visit Ghana next week to explore business opportunities between the two countries.
Kampala, July 3 (IANS) The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has carried out doping tests for body enhancing substances on Ugandan athletes heading to the Olympics in London this month.
Kampala, July 3 (Xinhua-ANI): The World Anti-Doping Agency has carried out doping tests for body enhancing substances on Ugandan athletes heading to the Olympics in London this month.
Nairobi, July 3 (IANS) World 800m champion David Rudisha and Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo will jet out Tuesday for Europe to compete in Diamond League and Grand Prix races.
New York, June 19 (ANI): Aung San Suu Kyi received a rock star welcome in Ireland on Monday, with U2 singer Bono performing for the Burmese democracy icon, after flying in with her on his private jet.
After solving the Prez poll issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left for an eight-day overseas tour to Mexico and Brazil for attending the G20 Summit and the Rio+20 meeting respectively...............
New Delhi, June 16 (IANS) Ahead of his eight-day overseas tour to attend the G-20 and the Rio+20 summits in Mexico and Brazil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday flagged the global concerns on the economic meltdown, essentially the eurozone crisis, and the environment degradation, calling for Europe to take resolute action to come out of its financial mess that is threatening to bring the global economy crashing down.
Nairobi, June 13 (IANS) Athletics Kenya (AK) will not deny elite athletes named in both the Olympics and Africa team a chance to compete at the Samsung Diamond League races in Europe prior to the London Games.
London, June 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Spain maintained their top spot in the latest FIFA rankings published Wednesday while Uruguay leap-frogged Germany to take second place.
Accra, June 1 (IANS) India has set in motion a $4.66 million programme to develop the cotton industry across the African continent, which has faced a combination of problems over the years.
Washington, May 16 (IANS) By pursuing reforms and going in for public-private partnerships in infrastructure, India has improved its position in the world ranking of countries in trade logistics despite a global slowdown in the sector in the last two years, says the World Bank.
Washington, May 16 (IANS) Global trade logistics performance slowed down over the last two years amid the global recession but India - ranked 46th among 155 countries - and others that pursued aggressive reforms continued to improve, according to the World Bank.
Washington, May 16 (IANS) Global trade logistics performance slowed down over the last two years amid the global recession, but India and others that pursued aggressive reforms continued to improve, according to the World Bank.
Los Angeles (US), Apr.3 (ANI): Scandinavian countries Denmark, Finland and Norway have been declared the three happiest nations in the world during the last six years (2005 to 2011), according to a Gallup poll.
Nevada (US), Oct 09 (ANI): The Hindus are critical of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) for linking Hindu culture with "suicidal thoughts".
Washington, Oct 6 (ANI): A new study has found that indoor spraying with the insecticide bendiocarb dramatically reduced malaria transmission in many parts of Benin, Africa.
Abidjan, Aug 2 (ANI): United Nations peacekeepers in Ivory Coast lured poor and underage girls in the West African nation to have sex with them in exchange for food, a United States Embassy cable released by WikiLeaks has revealed.
Washington, May 24 (ANI): Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Harvard University researchers have developed a nano-dietary supplement, which they claim when taken before meals, can substantial reduce fat and sugar absorption in the body.
New Delhi, Oct.18 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil on Monday said that India is grateful to the international community for the support and the confidence shown by them to India's capability to be a voice of stability as well as development in global affairs.
Beijing, June 29 (ANI): The "8 goals for Africa" song recorded by eight African artists will be sung by them in a live performance at the Soccer City Fan Fest in Johannesburg on the day of the World Cup final.
Beijing, June 29 (ANI): The "8 goals for Africa" song recorded by eight African artists will be sung by them in a live performance at the Soccer City Fan Fest in Johannesburg on the day of the World Cup final.
Washington, January 5 (ANI): A new study by Stanford University scientists has determined that solar-powered drip irrigation systems significantly enhance household incomes and nutritional intake of villagers in arid sub-Saharan Africa.
El Salvador, Benin and other low- and middle-income countries have a special reason to celebrate World Asthma Day on Tuesday, 5 May, this year.
London, Mar 29 (ANI): Ministers in Britain are all set to support a new law that would allow museums in the country to return artwork looted by the Nazis to Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) With his health improving by the day after a coronary bypass surgery seven weeks ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Chile's first woman president Michelle Bachelet here Tuesday.
New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spent time with 40 Muslim school students on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-ud-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, at his residence here Tuesday.
New Delhi, Mar 5 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil hosted a banquet for visiting Benin President Boni Yayi here on Wednesday evening.
New Delhi, Mar 4 (ANI): India and the West African nation of Benin signed five agreements on Wednesday in the fields of small-scale industries, cultural and scientific cooperation and diplomatic exchange.
New Delhi, Mar 4 (ANI): The President of the African nation of Benin, Boni Yayi, on Wednesday pledged support to India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council seat.
New Delhi, Mar 4 (ANI): Five weeks after undergoing bypass surgery, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will have his first official engagement today when he holds talks with President Boni Yayi of Benin at his residence.
New Delhi, March 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will attend to his first engagement on Wednesday, as he would hold official talks with the President of Benin, Boni Yayi, in the capital on Wednesday since recuperating from bypass surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) which kept him away from office for five weeks. hough the official talks are scheduled to take place at the Prime Minister's residence in place of the Hyderabad House, meant for such kind of meetings.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh within five weeks of undergoing 'repeat-bypass surgery' will begin his first active official task on Tuesday when he holds talks with Benin President Boni Yayi at his residence.
New Delhi, Mar. 3 (ANI): Almost five weeks after undergoing coronary bypass surgery, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will undertake his first official engagement on Tuesday when he holds talks with President Boni Yayi of Benin at his residence.
Guangzhou (China), Nov 26 (Xinhua) Eight African drug smugglers have been convicted and sentenced to death with two-year reprieve each in the south China province, officials said.
The United Nations (UN) in its General Assembly meet held on October 22, elected India as among the 18 countries to serve on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term starting from January next year.
New Delhi, Oct 15 (ANI): The Sixth Council meeting of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) will begin here today
New Delhi, Oct 14 (ANI): The Sixth Council meeting of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) will begin here tomorrow.
New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) India's imports of sensitive items like fruits, cotton and automobiles were up Rs.9.74 ($207.52 million) in April-July this fiscal, said the ministry of commerce and industry here Friday.
New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) India's imports of sensitive items like fruits, cotton and automobiles were up Rs.9.74 ($207.52 million) in April-July this fiscal, said the ministry of commerce and industry here Friday.
Melbourne, Sept 23 (ANI): Aussies have come up with a unique way to fight their day-to-day demons - voodoo.
New York/Geneva, July 18 (ANI): South Asia has the highest rate of open defecation in the world at 48 percent, and is closely followed by sub-Saharan Africa (28 percent), says a report issued today by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Drinking-water Supply and Sanitation (JMP).
Washington, July 9 (ANI): Preparations for an African 'wall of trees' to slow down the southwards spread of the Sahara desert are getting underway.
