Introduction: The Republic of Benin
The Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in Western Africa, formerly known as Dahomey (until 1975). It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north; its short coastline to the south leads to the Bight of Benin. Its capital is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou.
Stretched between the Niger River in the northeast and the Bight of Benin in the south, Benin's elevation is about the same for the entire country. Most of the population lives in the southern coastal plains, where Benin's largest cities are also located, including Porto Novo and Cotonou. The north of the country consists mostly of savanna and semi-arid highlands.
Running southernly, down the middle of the country is the Oueme River.
The climate in Benin is hot and humid with relatively little rain compared to other West African countries, although there are two rainy seasons (April-July and September-November). In the winter the dust winds of the harmattan can make the nights rather cold.
Porto-Novo:
Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin. It is a port on an inlet of the Gulf of Guinea, in the southeastern portion of the country. Porto-Novo offers many richnesses to see, thanks to its museums.
www.porto-novo.org
Thinks to see:
-The Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography contains a large collection of Yoruba masks, as well as items on the history of the city and of Benin.
-King Toffa's palace (also known as the Musée Honmé and the Royal Palace), now a museum, shows what life was like for African royalty.
-Jardin Place Jean Bayol
-The da Silva Museum is a museum of Benin history
-The palais de Gouverneur (governor's palace) is the home of the national legislature.
-The Songai Agricol Center
 
Cotonou:
Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin, as well as its largest city.
The city is best known as a major port, thanks to the Autonomous Port of Cotonou; it is also home to an airport.
Things to see:
-Artisanal Market
-Dantokpa Market (20 hectares)
-Fidjrosse Beach
-Cotonou Friendship Stadium
 
Ouidah:
The town of Ouidah is the spiritual capital of Vodun, and is known locally as Glexwe. It was a major slaving port under Portuguese occupation. Nowadays, Ouidah is known for the paradisiac beachs and the touristic activities.
www.villedeouidah.org
Things to see:
-Museum of Ouidah History (Vodun Museum)
-House of Pythons
-The sacred Wood
-The slaves road
 
Ganvié:
Ganvie is a lake village in Benin, lying in Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou. With a population of around 20 thousands people, it is probably the largest lake village in Africa and as such is very popular with tourists.
 
Atakora and Natitingou:
Atakora is the northwestern department of Benin, bordering Togo to the west and Burkina Faso to the north. Also, it borders the departments of Alibori, Borgou, and Donga. It is the most mountainous region of Benin.
Natitingou is a town in north western Benin. It is about 50 km from Benin's Penjari National Park, where tourists can see West African wildlife during the months of December through June. The Falls of Tanougou and great mud castles of the Dita-Mari known as Tata-Somba are all within a bicycle's ride of the town.
www.natitingou.org
Thinks to see in Atacora:
-Pendjari National Park
-The W Park
 
Things to see in Natitingou:
-Museum of Popular Art and traditions
 
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