Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. It is bordered by Niger to the north, Burkina Faso to the northwest, Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The country covers about 114,700 square kilometers and has a population of around 13 million. French is the official language; Fon and Yoruba are among widely spoken local languages. The capital is Porto-Novo, while the seat of government and the largest city is Cotonou.

Historically, the area was home to powerful kingdoms, most notably Dahomey (now Benin). Dahomey participated in the trans-Atlantic slave trade before becoming a French colony in the late 19th century as French Dahomey. The colony gained independence in 1960 and was renamed Benin in 1975. Since the early 1990s, Benin has operated under a multi-party system with a written constitution.

Benin's economy is largely agricultural, with cotton as the main export. The informal sector and commerce play important roles, and the port of Cotonou is a regional hub. Development challenges include income poverty, infrastructure gaps, and governance issues. Benin is home to diverse ecosystems, including the Pendjari National Park, known for wildlife, and various rural landscapes.

Culturally, Benin is associated with the vodun (voodoo) tradition in the south, among other religious practices. The name Benin derives from the Bight of Benin. The West African CFA franc is the currency used.