BENIN IN BRIEF
The third day of SMIESA will be devoted to visiting two major sites in Benin: Ganvié, the famous lake city of Africa, and Ouidah, where the Temple of Vodun is located.
Benin is a French-speaking country in West Africa. It is the birthplace of the Voodoo religion, but also the territory of the former Kingdom of Dahomey (around 1600-1900). In Abomey, the former capital of Dahomey, the historical museum occupies two royal palaces decorated with bas-reliefs tracing the history of the kingdom and a throne mounted on human skulls. To the north, Pendjari National Park offers safaris to discover elephants, hippos and lions.
Area: 112,622 km²
Official capital: Porto-Novo
Main cities: Cotonou, Djougou, Parakou, Abomey
Official language: French
Common language(s): French, Fon, Yoruba
Currency: CFA Franc
National holiday: August 1 (proclamation of independence in 1960)