Benin

Officially known as the République du Bénin in the French language, the Republic of BENIN is a geographically slender country in West Africa that achieved independence from France in August 1960. Benin is not landlocked due to its small albeit important access to the Atlantic Ocean. The country is a neighbor to four bordering countries: Burkina Faso towards the northwest, Niger towards the north, Nigeria towards the east, and Togo towards the west. The climate of Benin is typically semiarid in the north and tropical in the south; coastal areas are frequently hot, humid, and rainy. Benin’s currency is the West African CFA Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF. Some of the country’s exports for global trade ↗ are cashews, construction materials, cotton, limestone, marble, okra, seafood, shea butter, and textiles. In addition to cashews, cotton, and okra, chief crops grown throughout Benin include beans, cassava, maize (corn), palm oil, peanuts, and yams.

● ● ● ● ●  People and Places  ● ● ● ● ●  According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Benin’s population in the year 2020 is about 12,252,000 and is ranked 79th among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. With a population of about 267,191 (year 2014) within the city limits and more than one million in the metropolitan area, Porto-Novo serves as the national capital of Benin. Other major Beninese cities include Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi located 12.3 kilometers northwest of Cotonou, Godomey located 10.1 kilometers west of Cotonou, Aplahoué, Bohicon, Djougou, Kandi, Malanville, and Parakou. Notable places and sites of interest all across the country include Agongointo-Zoungoudo Archaeological Park in Bohicon, the Artisanal Center in Cotonou, Fidjrosse Beach, the lake village of Ganvié, La Porte du Non-Retour in Ouidah, the bustling Marche Dantokpa in Cotonou, the mighty Monument Amazone in Cotonou, Musée de la Fondation Zinsou in Ouidah, and Musée en Plein Air (Open-Air Museum) in Parakou. UNESCO World Heritage Sites situated throughout Benin include Koutammakou (Land of the Batammariba), the Royal Palaces of Abomey, and the transnational W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.

As of 2022, over 50 languages are used for communication. French is the official language, and Fon and Yoruba are additional major languages. Other languages include Aguna, Aja, Anii, Anufo, Ayizo Gbe, Baatonum, Bariba, Biali, Boko, Borgu Fulfulde, Ci Gbe, Defi Gbe, Dendi, Ditammari, Ede Cabe, Ede Ica, Ede Idaca, Ede Ije, Ede Nago, Foodo, Gbesi Gbe, Gen (Mina), Gorgal Fulfulde, Goun, Gourmanchéma, Hausa, Ifè, Kabiyè, Kotafon Gbe, Kyanga, Lama, Lukpa, Maxi Gbe, Mbelime, Miyobe, Mokole, Nago (Northern and Southern), Nateni, Ngangam, Notre, Saxwe Gbe, Songhai, Tchumbuli, Tem, Tofin Gbe, Waama, Waci Gbe, Weme Gbe, Xwela Gbe, Xwla Gbe (Eastern and Western), and Yom. Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including Adja (Aja), Aizo, Bariba, Dendi, Fon (about 40% of Beninese people), Fulani (Peul), Goun, Holi, Mina, Otammari (Ditamari/Somba), Pilapila, Yoa-Lokpa, and Yoruba (Nagot). About 47% of Beninese citizens are believers in ethnic religions and beliefs, followed by Christians (32%), Muslims (20%), and Bahá’í believers (0.21%).

● ● ● ● ●  Land and Water Features  ● ● ● ● ●  The highest point in Benin is typically considered to be Mont Sokbaro. Not far from Togo, the peak stands 658 meters and 2,159 feet high between the towns of Aledjo-Koura and Bassila in the Atakora Mountains — known in French as the Chaîne de l’Atacora and sometimes called the Togo Mountains. Several other high points in Benin include Soubakpérou (619 meters), Dimansenntari (602 meters), Tanatouta (547 meters), and Koulé Ekou (456 meters). Extending into portions of neighboring Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, the Sahel is a vast grassland region known for being south of the Sahara Desert. National parks include Pendjari near Burkina Faso and “W” National Park near Burkina Faso and Niger.

Benin has an approximately 121-kilometer and 75-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Gulf of Guinea. The Bight of Benin is a smaller bay within the Gulf of Guinea. Navigation from land to the ocean and vice versa is difficult due to Benin’s various sandbanks and sandbars. Several notable rivers connect interior communities of Benin with the coastline. Beginning close to the northern Beninese town of Malanville near the border with Niger, the Alibori River veers westward off from the mighty Niger River situated along the Benin-Niger border. The Alibori then flows past Bembéréké and eventually makes way for the Ouémé River near the town of N’Dali. The Ouémé River then flows toward Lake Nokoué near Cotonou. The Okpara River forms the central section of Benin’s border with Nigeria — flowing past communities such as N’Dali, Parakou, Tchaouru, Kilibo, Kaboua, Okio, Savé, and Djabata before reconnecting with the Ouémé River. Other rivers and tributaries include the Donenga, Gona, Kara, Kouffou, Mekrou, Momongou, Oli, Pendjari, Tami, and Tigou.

This post was updated with more information in December 2023. GeoFact of the Day’s map of Benin was designed in September 2019.