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|  | BENIN COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Benin is situated in West Africa and is bounded to the east by Nigeria, to the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, and to the west by Togo. Benin stretches 700km (435 miles) from the Bight of Benin to the Niger River. The coastal strip is sandy with coconut palms. Beyond the lagoons of Porto Novo, Nokoue, Ouidah and Grand Popo is a plateau rising gradually to the heights of the Atakora Mountains. Abomey, situated about 100km (60 miles) northeast of the capital, contains an excellent museum covering the history of the Abomey kingdoms (with a throne made of human skulls) and the intriguingly named Fetish Temple. Cotonou has a market, the Dan Tokpa, which is normally open every four days. Porto Novo, the capital, contains many examples of colonial and pre-colonial art and architecture. The Ethnological Museum has a wide range of exhibits. There is a selection of restaurants and hotels in Cotonou, serving French food with table service, although some also serve local African specialities, particularly seafood. The city has several nightclubs, but elsewhere local festivals form the main entertainment. The range of dining places in Porto Novo is more limited. Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, 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. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of products from Benin and elsewhere. As a result, smuggling and criminality along the Benin-Nigeria border has been on the rise. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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|  | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Abomey, situated about 100km (60 miles) northeast of the capital, was once the capital of a Fon kingdom and contains an excellent museum covering the history of the Abomey kingdoms (with a throne made of human skulls) and the Fetish Temple. Nearby is the Centre Artisanal where local craft products are sold at reasonable prices.
Cotonou has a market, the Dan Tokpa, which is normally open every four days. The museum here is well worth a visit. The lake village of Ganvie, 18km (11 miles) northwest of Cotonou, has houses built on stilts and a water-market. About 32km (20 miles) to the west is the town of Ouidah, notable for its old Portuguese fort and the Temple of the Sacred Python.
Porto Novo, the capital, is the administrative centre of the country, containing many examples of colonial and pre-colonial art and architecture. The Ethnological Museum is probably the most notable place of interest for a visitor.
The northwest of the country is the home of the Somba people, whose goods can be bought at the weekly market at Boukombe.
Benin has two national parks. Pendjari is normally only open between December and June and has a wide range of wildlife including cheetahs, hippos and crocodiles. Accommodation is available. The 'W' National Park straddles the frontier region between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso and is less well-developed. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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