Benin Flag, Currency, Population, Tourist Places
Benin: A Hidden Gem in West Africa
Benin is a small country in West Africa, bordered by Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
It has a rich and diverse culture, history, and natural beauty that make it an attractive destination for travelers who want to explore something different and authentic.
Benin is home to more than 60 ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, languages, and arts.
Benin is also the birthplace of voodoo, a religion that is still widely practiced and respected in the country.
Benin Flag, Currency, Population, Tourist Places
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Population, Flag, and Currency
Population of Benin :
According to the World Bank, Benin had a population of about 13 million people in 2024.
The majority of the population lives in the southern part of the country, where the capital city of Porto-Novo and the largest city of Cotonou are located.
Benin is a democratic republic, with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government.
Flag of Benin :
The flag of Benin consists of two horizontal stripes of yellow and red, and a green vertical stripe on the hoist side.
Benin Flag, Currency, Population, Tourist Places
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The colors represent the three regions of the country: the yellow stands for the savannahs in the north, the red stands for the blood shed during the struggle for independence, and the green stands for the forests in the south.
The flag was adopted in 1959, when Benin was still a French colony known as Dahomey.
It was replaced by a Marxist-Leninist flag in 1975, when the country became the People’s Republic of Benin.
The original flag was restored in 1990, after the end of the socialist regime.
Currency of Benin :
The currency of Benin is the West African CFA franc (XOF), which is also used by seven other countries in the region.
The CFA franc is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro.
One CFA franc is divided into 100 centimes.
The CFA franc was introduced in 1945, as a common currency for the French colonies in Africa.
The name CFA stands for Communauté Financière Africaine (African Financial Community).
Benin Flag, Currency, Population, Tourist Places
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Tourist Places of Benin :
Benin has a lot to offer to tourists who are interested in culture, nature, and adventure. Some of the most popular tourist places of Benin are:
The Royal Palaces of Abomey :
- The Royal Palaces of Abomey: These are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a testimony of the power and wealth of the former Kingdom of Dahomey, which ruled over most of Benin from the 17th to the 19th century.
- The palaces are decorated with bas-reliefs, sculptures, and symbols that depict the history and legends of the Dahomean kings.
- The palaces also house a museum that displays royal artifacts, weapons, and costumes.
The Pendjari National Park :
- The Pendjari National Park: This is one of the best wildlife reserves in West Africa, and a haven for elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, and many other species.
- The park covers an area of about 2,755 square kilometers, and is part of the larger W-Arly-Pendjari complex that spans across Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
- The park offers various activities, such as game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, and camping.
The Ganvie Stilt Village :
- The Ganvie Stilt Village: This is a unique and fascinating village that is built on stilts over Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou.
- The village was founded in the 16th century, as a refuge for the Tofinu people who fled from the slave raids of the Dahomean kings.
- The village has about 20,000 inhabitants, who live in wooden houses that are connected by canoes and bridges.
- The village has its own schools, markets, churches, and mosques, and is often called the “Venice of Africa”.
The Ouidah Slave Route :
- The Ouidah Slave Route: This is a historical and cultural trail that traces the path of the millions of Africans who were captured and sold into slavery by the European traders.
- The route starts from the Ouidah Museum of History, which was formerly a Portuguese fort and a slave depot, and ends at the Door of No Return, a memorial arch on the beach that symbolizes the point of departure of the enslaved people.
- Along the way, there are several monuments, statues, and temples that commemorate the history and heritage of the slave trade and its victims.
Benin Flag, Currency, Population, Tourist Places