Key Facts about Benin

News: Recently, Benin’s President Patrice Talon addressed citizens after forces in Cotonou foiled a coup attempt by soldiers called the Military Committee for Refoundation.

Key Facts about Benin

• Location: Benin is a country in western Africa that extends northward from the Gulf of Guinea to the Niger River.
• Capital: The official capital is Porto-Novo, while Cotonou is the largest city, chief port, and de facto administrative capital.
• Boundaries
  • Land boundaries: Benin is bordered by Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast.
  • Maritime boundary: It has a coastline on the Bight of Benin, which is part of the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Climate: It features tropical savanna climate.
• Important Rivers: The Niger River and its tributaries drain the northeast, while the Mono, Couffo and Ouémé are the main southern rivers.
• Relief Features
  • Barre Country: The barre country is a fertile clay plateau that includes the large swampy Lama Marsh and has mostly flat land with occasional hills rising to about 1,300 feet.
  • Benin Plateaus: The Benin plateaus consist of four plateaus ( Abomey, Kétou, Aplahoué, and Zagnanado ) made of clays over a crystalline base.
  • Atakora Mountains: The Atakora Mountains in the northwest form a continuation of the Togo Mountains.