Countries

Benin

Also Known As Republic of Benin

Citation Formats

General Reference

Geography Atlas. "Benin." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://dev-geography.interactiveatlas.org/countries/benin.

APA Style

Geography Atlas. (n.d.). Benin. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://dev-geography.interactiveatlas.org/countries/benin

BibTeX

@misc{geographyatlas-benin,
  author = {Geography Atlas},
  title = {Benin},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-geography.interactiveatlas.org/countries/benin},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

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.

Facts

Capital

Porto-Novo 1

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

Population

15,170,420 1

2026 estimate.

Population Estimate Year

2026 1

Area (sq km)

114,763 1

Independence or Founding Year

1960 1

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

Cross-Tradition Connections

Sources

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationInfobox

Quote, Infobox

Republic of Benin

View the Source

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationInfobox, capital

Quote, Infobox, capital

Porto-Novo (official); Cotonou (seat of government)

View the Source

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationInfobox, area

Quote, Infobox, area

114,763 km2

View the Source

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationDemographics section, 2026

Quote, Demographics section, 2026

15,170,420 (2026 estimate)

View the Source

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHistory section, independence

Quote, History section, independence

full independence on 1 August 1960 which is celebrated each year as Independence Day

View the Source

1. Benin (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction

Quote, Introduction

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is a tropical country with an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and the exports of palm oil and cotton.

View the Source

Niger River (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationRivers Through Territory: Niger River, Infobox, Countries

Quote, Rivers Through Territory: Niger River, Infobox, Countries