Benin:
A small country squeezed between Nigeria and Togo, Benin has a flat Atlantic coastal region which rises gradually up to the highlands of the Atakora mountains. The far north is an ever-growing desert. As for the politics of Benin, it was one of the first African countries to explore multiparty politics, and it has a well-diversified agricultural sector. Also, more money is spent on education than on defence, and Benin has a significant intellectual community. Unfortunately, the well-educated people tend to leave the country to go work in France.
Tourism does not play a large part in Benin, but this country is relatively crime free and stable. Some package safaris are available in the north, and solo exploration is possible as well.