Here are some critical facts about Benin:

- Benin is a country in West Africa, bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Its capital and largest city is Porto-Novo.

- With an area of 114,763 sq km, Benin ranks 99th in the world by land area. However, it has a narrow shape with no point being more than 125 km from the coast.

- The population is around 12.1 million, with the largest ethnic group being Fon in the south and Yoruba in the northeast.

- French is the official language, but indigenous languages like Fon and Yoruba are widely spoken.

- Benin has a tropical climate and varies from coastal breezes to semi-arid areas in the north. Major industries include agriculture (cotton, palm oil, cocoa beans), textiles, and regional trade.

- It is a developing economy that ranks low in metrics like per capita income. However, it has remained a relatively stable democracy since the early 1990s.

- Benin was formerly called Dahomey. It was a significant center for the slave trade in the 17th and 19th centuries before becoming a French colony in 1892.

- Notable attractions include the Pendjari National Park, the Royal Palaces of Abomey (a UNESCO site), the Somba mud thatched houses, and coastal regions like Ouidah.

- Religions practiced include Christianity, Islam, Vodoun (Voodoo,) and indigenous faiths. Benin is considered the birthplace of Voodoo.