People:  About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also migrated within the country. Ethnic groups include: the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century);  the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from what is now Mali in the 16th century); the Bariba and the Fula (or Fulani) (Fula: Fulɓe; French: Peul) in the northeast; the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range;  the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central; and  the Mina, Xueda, and Aja (who came from what is now Togo in the 12th century) on the coast.Religion:  The population of Benin is 27.1% Catholic, 24.4% Muslim, 17.3% Vodoun, 10.4% Protestant (which includes Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, and other Protestant 2.2%), 5.3% of other Christian denominations, and 15.5% of other religions.

Capital:  The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.

Language:  Approximately 55 different languages are spoken in Benin, with 50 being indigenous. However, French is the official language, and all the indigenous languages are considered national languages. Of the Beninese languages, Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important in the south of the country.