Benin Geography
Benin Geography: A summary of information about Benin Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Benin: Geography
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo
Geographic coordinates
9 30 N, 2 15 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries
total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
Coastline
121 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain
mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
Natural resources
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
Land use
arable land: 13% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 31% other: 48% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter
Environment - current issues
recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
no natural harbors
