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Fun facts about Benin

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Map of the Kingdom of Dahomey, 1793
country

The country was named Dahomey during French colonial rule, and was renamed Benin in 1975 after the Bight of Benin.

Benin
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country

Benin

Population
14.8M
Area
112,622 km²
Capital
Porto-Novo
Continent
Africa
76th most populous country in the world

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Dalzel, Archibald · Public Domain

Fact 1 permalink
Map of the Kingdom of Dahomey, 1793
country

Dahomey instituted an elite female soldier corps known as the 'Dahomean Amazons'.

Benin
Tap to learn more
country

Benin

Population
14.8M
Area
112,622 km²
Capital
Porto-Novo
Continent
Africa
76th most populous country in the world

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Dalzel, Archibald · Public Domain

Fact 2 permalink
Map of the Kingdom of Dahomey, 1793
country

Benin has four terrestrial ecoregions within its borders, including Eastern Guinean forests and West Sudanian savanna.

Benin
Tap to learn more
country

Benin

Population
14.8M
Area
112,622 km²
Capital
Porto-Novo
Continent
Africa
76th most populous country in the world

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Dalzel, Archibald · Public Domain

Fact 3 permalink
Map of the Kingdom of Dahomey, 1793
country

Benin's political system is a presidential representative democratic republic, with the President serving as both head of state and head of government.

Benin
Tap to learn more
country

Benin

Population
14.8M
Area
112,622 km²
Capital
Porto-Novo
Continent
Africa
76th most populous country in the world

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.

From the “Government and politics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Dalzel, Archibald · Public Domain

Fact 4 permalink
Map of the Kingdom of Dahomey, 1793
country

The town of Ouidah is considered the spiritual center of Beninese Vodun or Voodoo.

Benin
Tap to learn more
country

Benin

Population
14.8M
Area
112,622 km²
Capital
Porto-Novo
Continent
Africa
76th most populous country in the world

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.

From the “Demographics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Dalzel, Archibald · Public Domain

Fact 5 permalink