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BeninIn 1625 indigenous slave traders, known as the Fon, founded the kingdom of Dahomey. They conquered the neighboring Dan and Allada and extended their kingdom to the coast. A trading post was set up in 1857 by the French at Grand-Popo. In 1892 Dahomey became a French protectorate and part of French West Africa in 1904. Independence was gained in 1960 and the country was renamed Benin in 1975.
A Brief History of Benin
A brief introduction to the history of Benin from the time of early humans to the present day. Background Notes: Benin
A useful potted history is included with these US Department of State Background Notes on Benin. Also included is a range of political, economic, and geographical data, as well as information on its people, defense, and relations with the US. Benin History from Lonely Planet
A quirky, colloquial presentation of Benin’s history presented by LonelyPlanet.com. Makes awfully good reading and may galvanize your interest in Africa’s regional history. Not only suitable for travelers. Benin - a Country Profile from the BBC
An extremely brief historical overview accompanies this BBC Country Profile of Benin. Of particular interest are the simplified regional map (see where the country is in Africa), a photograph of Benin’s current Chief of State, and details about the countries media. Timeline for Benin from the BBC
A chronology of important events in the history of Benin given by year (and for more recent events by month also). CIA World Fact Book: Benin
A useful map and a range of geographical, political, and economic facts which are mostly up-to-date. Unfortunately this country profile lacks historical information (except for independence date), but the population statistics are probably the best available. Benin's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers
Updated weekly, this list of Benin's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers is provided by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America. News and Current Affairs in Benin from AlertNet
As well as the usual Country Profile information available on the web, AlertNet offers up to date news headlines about humanitarian efforts and crises in Benin. |
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