Head of state: Thomas Boni Yayi (President)
Head of government: Thomas Boni Yayi
Type of state: Republic
Land area: 112,622 km2
Capital: Porto-Novo
Population: 8.935 million
Religions:  42.8% Christian, 24.4% Moslem; 32.8% other 
Language: French (official language)
Currency: Communauté Financière Africaine franc (XOF)
Gross domestic product (GDP) 2010: USD 6.494bn
Change over previous year: +0.2% 
Per capita GDP 2010: USD 1,500 
Swiss colony 2010: 73 persons
Swiss exports 2010: CHF 35.18 million
Change over previous year: +30.1 %
Swiss imports 2010: 0.13 million
Change over previous year: +38.6%