Country

Benin

Also Known As Republic of Benin

Western Africa

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin and formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is a tropical country whose economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and the exports of palm oil and cotton. Benin gained full independence from France on 1 August 1960. Its official capital is Porto-Novo, while Cotonou is the seat of government. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts

Capital

Porto-Novo 2

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government and the country's most populous city.

Population

15,170,420 2

2026 estimate.

Population Estimate Year

2026 2

Area (sq km)

114,763 2

Independence or Founding Year

1960 2

Benin, then Dahomey, gained full independence from France on 1 August 1960, celebrated each year as Independence Day.

Classification

Sovereignty Status

UN Member State 1

Benin

Associated With

Porto-Novo

Source Porto-Novo (Wikipedia)

West Africa

Bordered By Water

Gulf of Guinea

Has Capital

Porto-Novo

Source Porto-Novo (Wikipedia)

Rivers Through Territory

Niger River

Source Niger River (Wikipedia)

In the Other Atlases

Has Member

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Also in Economics Atlas: a member of this subject.

Nationals Include

Conceptia Ouinsou

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Conceptia Ouinsou

Joseph Djogbenou

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Joseph Djogbenou

Reine Alapini-Gansou

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Reine Alapini-Gansou

Origin Of

Dahomey (film)

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Asaro

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Asaro (Wikipedia)

Eba

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Eba (Wikipedia)

Paulin Hountondji

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Paulin Hountondji (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Paulin Jidenu Hountondji (11 April 1942 – 2 February 2024) was a Beninese philosopher, politician and academic considered one of the most important figures in the history of African philosophy.

Yoruba

Also in Society and Culture Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Site Of

Agence Bénin Presse

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Ouidah

Also in Divinity Atlas: which is located in this subject.

The Royal Palaces of Abomey

Also in Divinity Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Central Bank of West African States

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

West African CFA franc

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.