Benin
Capital
Porto-Novo
Population
~12.5 million
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- French
- Religion
- Voodoo, Christianity, Islam
- Climate
- Tropical; hot and humid with a rainy season (April to October)
Culture & History
Known for: being the birthplace of voodoo, slave coast history, and cotton production
Also famous for: Pendjari National Park, Ganvie floating village, and Tata Somba fortified houses
Food: Amiwo (cornmeal porridge)
Brief History
Part of Dahomey kingdom (slave trade); French colony; gained independence in 1960; transitioned to a multi-party democracy