country comparison to the world: 90
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.2% (male 2,028,493/female 1,948,353)
15-64 years: 52.1% (male 2,275,662/female 2,308,945)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 94,569/female 135,810) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.3 years
male: 16.9 years
female: 17.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.944% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Birth rate:
38.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Death rate:
9.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 63.13 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 30
male: 66.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 59.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.42 years
country comparison to the world: 188
male: 58.21 years
female: 60.68 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.4 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
64,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective: Beninese
Ethnic groups:
Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related
12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and
related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%,
other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)
Religions:
Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other
Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other
15.5% (2002 census)
Languages:
French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in
south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 34.7%
male: 47.9%
female: 23.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 6 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 130
Government ::Benin
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Benin
conventional short form: Benin
local long form: Republique du Benin
local short form: Benin
former: Dahomey
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Porto-Novo (official capital)
geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Cotonou (seat of government)
Administrative divisions:
12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines,
Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Independence:
1 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 August (1960)
Constitution:
adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Legal system:
based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
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
head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); runoff election held on 19 March 2006
(next to be held in March 2011)
election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of
vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;
members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or
Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou
FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of
Progress Forces or AFP; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO];
Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie
for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or
IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SEHOUETO]; Movement
for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for
Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social
Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for Democracy and
National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for the Relief or
UPR [Issa SALIFOU]
note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups;
teachers' unions and other educational groups
International organization participation:
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, MONUSCO,
NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN
chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James A. KNIGHT
embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou
mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou
telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50
FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a
vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and
revival, yellow wealth, and red courage
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem:
name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)
lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON
note: adopted 1960
Economy ::Benin
Economy - overview:
The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on
subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.
Growth in real output had averaged about 4% before the global
recession, but fell to 2.5% in 2009 and 3% in 2010. Inflation has
subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth,
Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis
on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing
systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and
communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business
climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice
system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307
million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006.
The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications,
water, electricity, and agriculture. As result of these reforms,
Benin has become the most competitive country in the West African
Economic and Monetary Union, according to the World Economic Forum.
The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt
situation, with Benin benefiting from a G-8 debt reduction announced
in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An
insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's
economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to
increase domestic power production.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$13.79 billion (2009 est.)
$13.42 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.494 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
2.7% (2009 est.)
5.1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
$1,600 (2009 est.)
$1,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.2%
industry: 14.5%
services: 52.3% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
3.662 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
37.4% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 29% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.5 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 82
Investment (gross fixed):
18.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
2.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 91
4.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.551 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 125
$1.619 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.424 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$2.517 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$1.269 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts,
cashews; livestock
Industries:
textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - production:
124 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - consumption:
597 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
588 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - consumption:
23,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Oil - exports:
8,770 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Oil - imports:
28,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - proved reserves:
8 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Current account balance:
-$582 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
-$644 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.125 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$994 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood
Exports - partners:
India 19.72%, China 13.18%, Niger 6.94%, Nigeria 6.56%, Indonesia
5.73%, Togo 5.63%, Namibia 4.17% (2009)
Imports:
$1.812 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$1.703 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
China 35.62%, US 7.51%, France 7.38%, Thailand 6.71%, Malaysia
6.13%, Netherlands 4.83%, Belgium 4.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.254 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$1.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.894 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$986.2 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 506.04
(2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)
Communications ::Benin
Telephones - main lines in use:
127,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 141
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.033 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio
relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by
aging, deteriorating equipment
domestic: fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons;
spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers,
cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly
international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC
fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and
Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso,
Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic
Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB)
operates a TV station with multiple channels giving it a wide
broadcast reach; several privately-owned TV stations broadcast from
Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned
radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented
by a number of regional stations; substantial number of
privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few
international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2007)
Internet country code:
.bj
Internet hosts:
1,286 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 165
Internet users:
200,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 139
Transportation ::Benin
Airports:
5 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 180
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Railways:
total: 578 km
country comparison to the world: 112
narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 16,000 km
country comparison to the world: 120
paved: 1,400 km
unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)
Waterways:
150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 102
Ports and terminals:
Cotonou
Military ::Benin
Military branches:
Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces
Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne
Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in
practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are
eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months
(2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,023,449
females age 16-49: 1,971,788 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,331,242
females age 16-49: 1,345,145 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 105,468
female: 101,603 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 129
Transnational Issues ::Benin
Disputes - international:
in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two
villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005
ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with
Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen
villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival
cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on
funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for
Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly
enforced financial regulations (2008)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Bermuda (North America)
Introduction ::Bermuda
Background:
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists
headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American
winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be
important to the island's economy, although international business
has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a
highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum
on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the
present government has reopened debate on the issue.
Geography ::Bermuda
Location:
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of
South Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates:
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 54 sq km
country comparison to the world: 231
land: 54 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
103 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain:
low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources:
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (June to November)
Environment - current issues:
sustainable development
Geography - note:
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall,
but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US
Government from 1941 to 1995
People ::Bermuda
Population:
68,265 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215)
65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.6 years
male: 40.2 years
female: 43.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.62% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Birth rate:
11.47 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Death rate:
7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Net migration rate:
2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.018 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 221
male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.6 years
country comparison to the world: 19
male: 77.37 years
female: 83.88 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.98 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 90
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
163 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
392 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 100
Nationality:
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups:
black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified
0.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%,
other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%,
none 14% (2000 census)
Languages:
English (official), Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 180
Government ::Bermuda
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
former: Somers Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
parliamentary; self-governing territory
Capital:
name: Hamilton
geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends
first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,
Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's,
Southampton, Warwick
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution:
8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007)
head of government: Premier Paula COX (since 29 October 2010);
Deputy Premier Derrick BURGESS
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed
premier by the governor
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members
appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the
House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve up to five-year terms)
elections: last general election held on 18 December 2007 (next to
be held not later than 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%;
seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party
or UBP [Kim SWAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or
BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed
BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Grace W. SHELTON
consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3