Benin: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Benin

Benin is a narrow country in West Africa, stretching from a short Atlantic coastline north to the Niger River. It has lagoons and palm groves in the south and savanna and hills in the north. It is known for the old Kingdom of Dahomey, lively markets and its national parks.

About Porto-Novo

Porto-Novo lies beside a coastal lagoon in the southeast of Benin, close to the border with Nigeria. Its name is Portuguese for 'new port', and it is known for its museums and old colonial buildings.

Fun facts about Benin

1. Ganvié, a village of stilt houses on Lake Nokoué, is often called the 'Venice of Africa'.
2. The Royal Palaces of Abomey were home to 12 kings who ruled from 1625 to 1900.
3. Benin was called Dahomey until 1975, after the powerful old kingdom of the same name.
4. In the north, the Batammariba people build mud tower-houses called takienta, part of a UNESCO site.
5. Pendjari National Park is part of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, home to lions, elephants and buffalo.
6. Benin's flag uses green, yellow and red, the colours of the Pan-African movement.