Benin
9 30 N, 2 15 E
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
total: 1,989 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
arable land: 23.53%
permanent crops: 2.37%
other: 74.1% (2005)
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
The south has an equatorial climate with four seasons. It is hot and dry from January to April and during August, with rainy seasons through May to July and September to December. The north has more extreme temperatures, hot and dry between November and June, cooler and very wet between July and October.
Required clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens. A light raincoat or an umbrella is necessary in rainy seasons and warmer clothes are advised for cool evenings.
time difference: UTC+1
note: Cotonou (seat of government)
