26 Facts About Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin and formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa with a long and complex history linked to the Atlantic slave trade.

The name Benin comes from the Bight of Benin, the body of water along its southern coast. The people of the country are called Beninese.

Benin gained independence from France on 1 August 1960. In 1975, the country officially changed its name from Dahomey to Benin.

From the seventeenth century onward, the coastal region became known as the “Slave Coast,” where large numbers of Africans were captured and shipped to the Americas. The Kingdom of Dahomey became heavily involved in this trade and gained significant wealth from it during the eighteenth century.

The region remained under French colonial rule from the late nineteenth century until independence. In the early 1990s, Benin became one of the first African countries to peacefully transition from a dictatorship to a multi-party democracy, a model that influenced other nations in the region.

The official capital is Porto-Novo, which developed historically as a slave-trading port, while Cotonou is the largest city and serves as the country’s main economic center, seaport, and location of the international airport.

Many indigenous languages are spoken in Benin, especially Fon and Yoruba, alongside French, which is the official language.

At its widest point, Benin stretches a little over 300 kilometers from east to west. Its coastline along the Gulf of Guinea is relatively short, measuring about 120 kilometers.

The W–Arly–Pendjari complex in northern Benin forms part of one of West Africa’s most important wildlife areas and supports some of the region’s remaining populations of lions and other large mammals.

Cotton is Benin’s main export crop, and agriculture employs a large part of the population. Regional trade with neighboring countries is also vital to the economy.

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country.

Petrol is expensive and often scarce in formal stations, so fuel is commonly imported informally from Nigeria and sold locally in roadside markets.

Agriculture occupies a large share of Benin’s land area, while forests and savanna cover much of the rest. The southern part of the country receives more rainfall and supports denser vegetation than the north.

Benin has a very young population, with a low median age and a relatively high fertility rate. Literacy and internet use remain low compared with global averages, especially in rural areas.

The national flag uses green, yellow, and red, symbolizing hope and revival, wealth, and courage.

Hubert Maga was Benin’s first president after independence.

Nomadic and semi-nomadic Fulani (Peul) herders also live in Benin and move seasonally with their cattle in search of pasture.

Open-air markets are central to daily life, and nearly every town has at least one. Food commonly includes rice, vegetables, and meat. Fish is more common in the south, while beef is eaten more often in the north.

It is considered polite to greet each person individually when arriving or leaving a gathering, and using the left hand to give or receive items is traditionally seen as impolite.

In some areas, young people increasingly prefer imported packaged foods over traditional dishes, reflecting changing lifestyles and urban influence.

Health challenges remain significant, including infectious diseases, which place pressure on the healthcare system.

The word “yovo” is commonly used to refer to white foreigners. Visitors often hear it called out by children, usually in a curious or friendly way.

Porto-Novo is also historically known as Adjatche or Hogbonou.

Traditional beliefs surrounding photography still exist in some communities, where people may feel uncomfortable being photographed without permission.

Benin is internationally known for its wooden masks and sculptures, closely tied to its religious and cultural traditions, especially those connected with Vodun.

Despite economic difficulties, Benin is often regarded as one of the more politically stable countries in West Africa, with a long record of peaceful political transitions in recent decades.