What is the capital of Benin?

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.

What continent is Benin in?

Benin is in Africa, specifically the Western Africa subregion.

What is the population of Benin?

Benin has a population of roughly 11,485,048 people, across a land area of 112,622 km².

What language is spoken in Benin?

The main language of Benin is French.

Which countries border Benin?

Benin shares a land border with 4 countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

Benin

Republic of Benin

Benin is a country in Western Africa, Africa. Its capital is Porto-Novo, home to roughly 11,485,048 people across 112,622 km² of land.

Where is Benin?

Benin is in Western Africa, Africa, bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Togo. Drag or zoom the map, or open the full interactive world map.

Key facts

Capital: Porto-Novo
Continent: Africa
Subregion: Western Africa
Population: 11,485,048
Land area: 112,622 km²
ISO codes: BJ / BEN
Languages: French
Coastline: Has a coastline
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Calling code: +229
Internet domain: .bj

How Benin compares

Benin ranks 77th of 194 countries on this site by population and 100th by land area — roughly 0.2% of their combined population. In Africa it ranks 30th of 54 by population and 38th by area. It has a coastline. It shares land borders with 4 other countries.

Countries by population · Countries by area

Flag of Benin: colours

A pixel-accurate scan of the Benin flag breaks down as 39.8% green, 30.1% yellow and 30.1% red.

Can you name a country from its colours alone? That is the whole idea behind the flag pie chart game.

Did you know?

The Kingdom of Dahomey, based in what is now Benin, was renowned for its all-female warrior regiment.
Vodun (voodoo) originated in Benin and remains a living, officially recognized religion.
Ganvié is a lakeside community built entirely on stilts over Lake Nokoué.
Benin was the first African country to move peacefully from dictatorship to democracy in 1991.
Festival masks and Gelede ceremonies in the south celebrate Yoruba spiritual traditions passed down for generations.

Bordering countries

Benin: frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Benin?: The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.
What continent is Benin in?: Benin is in Africa, specifically the Western Africa subregion.
What is the population of Benin?: Benin has a population of roughly 11,485,048 people, across a land area of 112,622 km².
What language is spoken in Benin?: The main language of Benin is French.
Which countries border Benin?: Benin shares a land border with 4 countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

Practice with geography games

Studying Benin is easier when you put facts into practice. Try these free games to reinforce flags, capitals, and comparative geography.

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