BENIN

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin is a country in Western Africa, formerly known as Dahomey (until 1975) or Dahomania. It has a small coast line with the Bight of Benin in the south, borders Togo in the west, Nigeria in the east, and Burkina Faso and Niger in the north. The capital is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou.

Location

West Africa. The hinterland of Benin runs north from Coastal strip on the Atlantic Ocean. Togo is located to the west of the Benin, Nigeria to the east and upper Volta and Niger to the north.

Geography

Sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands.

Capital

Porto-Nova

Population

7,862,944

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north.

Language

French, African Language

Monetary Unit

Franc CFA

Largest Cities

Cotonou, Parakau.

Principal rivers

Queme, Niger

Places to Visit

Cotonou, Parakau, Porto-Nova.

Air Ports

Porto-Nova International Air Port