Benin
Benin is a country located in West Africa, bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. It has a coastline along the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The capital city is Porto-Novo, while the country’s largest city and economic hub is Cotonou. Benin is known for its rich cultural heritage, including its history as part of the Dahomey Kingdom and its significance in the transatlantic slave trade. The official language is French, and the nation is characterized by diverse ethnic groups and traditions. It gained independence from France on August 1, 1960, and has experienced various political changes since then, transitioning from a Marxist-Leninist state to a multiparty democracy. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, particularly cotton production, and increasingly on services and industry.