Benin
Cradle of vodun, land of the Amazons and of the Kingdom of Dahomey.
The Republic of Benin is a West African state bordered by Niger to the north, Burkina Faso to the north-west, Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.
- Political capital: Porto-Novo
- Economic capital: Cotonou
- Area: approximately 114,763 km²
- Official language: French
- Currency: CFA franc (XOF)
- Independence: 1 August 1960
Heir to the Kingdom of Dahomey, Benin is known worldwide as the cradle of vodun and for its cultural and memorial heritage, notably the Slave Route in Ouidah and the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Geography
A territory stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to the Niger River, organised into twelve departments with strikingly diverse landscapes.
History
From the Kingdom of Dahomey to the Republic of Benin: four centuries of history, from the Atlantic slave trade to the democratic renewal of 1990.
Culture
Vodun, the royal arts of Abomey, music and literature: a living heritage recognised well beyond the country's borders.
Political life and institutions
A presidential republic founded on the Constitution of 11 December 1990, with independent oversight institutions.
Investing in Benin
Strategic location, business-climate reforms and major structural projects: the strengths of a country in transformation.
Visiting Benin
Ouidah, Abomey, Ganvié, Pendjari: essential stops to discover the country, and the entry formalities.