In the first decade after independence in 1960 it was ruled by a succession of military leaders until Major Mathieu Kerekou seized power in 1972 and gradually restored civilian rule.

OVERVIEW

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Benin's shore includes what used to be known as the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped across the Atlantic. Elements of the culture and religion brought by slaves from the area are still present in the Americas, including voodoo.

Once banned in Benin, the religion is celebrated at the country's annual Voodoo Day, which draws thousands of celebrants.

Before being colonised by France towards the end of the 1800s, the area comprised several independent states, including the Kingdom of Dahomey, which had a well-trained standing army and was geared towards the export of slaves and later palm oil.

Instability marked the first years after full independence from France in 1960 and the early part of Mr Kerekou's rule featured Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology.

However, during the 1980s Mr Kerekou resigned from the army to become a civilian head of state and liberalised the economy.

While Benin has seen economic growth over the past few years and is one of Africa's largest cotton producers, it ranks among the world's poorest countries. The economy relies heavily on trade with its eastern neighbour, Nigeria.

To the north, there have been sporadic clashes along Benin's border with Burkina Faso. The trouble has been blamed on land disputes between rival communities on either side of the border.

Thousands of Togolese refugees fled to Benin in 2005 following political unrest in their homeland. Benin called for international aid to help it shelter and feed the exiles.

FACTS

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• Population: 7.1 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Porto-Novo
• Area: 112,622 sq km (43,484 sq miles)
• Major languages: French (official) Fon, Ge, Bariba, Yoruba, Dendi
• Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
• Life expectancy: 53 years (men), 54 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Cotton, palm oil
• GNI per capita: US $530 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .bj
• International dialling code: +229

LEADERS

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President: Yayi Boni

Yayi Boni, a former development banker

Political newcomer Yayi Boni won the second round of presidential elections in March 2006, gaining more than 74% of the vote. His rival was the former parliamentary speaker, Adrien Houngbedji.

Mr Boni, who ran as an independent, is a former head of the Togo-based West African Development Bank. He says he will concentrate on reviving the economy and stamping out corruption.

His predecessor, one-time army major Mathieu Kerekou, led Benin for all but five years after seizing power in 1972. He earned for the country the label "Africa's Cuba" before dropping Marxist-Leninist ideology. He was barred by a constitutional age limit from running in the 2006 poll.

Born in 1952, into a Muslim family in the north, Yayi Boni later became an evangelical Christian.

Benin's president heads the government, the state and the military and appoints members of the cabinet.