CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: BeninGeography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Nigeria and Togo Area: • total area: 112,620 sq km • land area: 110,620 sq km • comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: • territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: • arable land: 12% • permanent crops: 4% • meadows and pastures: 4% • forest and woodland: 35% • other: 45% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: • current issues: limited supply of safe drinking water; illegal hunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification • natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter • international agreements: party to—Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified—Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; no natural harbors