Flag of Benin

Benin (formerly Dahomey) is a state in West Africa, bordering Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria.

It is a republic with a population of 9.6 million (2012) and an area of 112.622 km2. Official capital: Porto Novo (population 234 200); seat of government : Cotonou (population 690 000); other major cities: Abomey-Calavi (population 386 000), Djugou (population 203 000), Parakou (population 164 000), etc.