Benin

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Benin, a West African nation with approximately 13 million people, is nestled on the Bight of Benin, with its official capital in Porto-Novo and the bustling economic center in Cotonou. Historically, the area was dominated by the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to 19th centuries, renowned for its formidable Fon-led military, including the legendary "Dahomean Amazons." After becoming a French colony in 1894, it gained full independence as Dahomey in 1960, experiencing a period of political shifts that included military coups. In 1975, amidst a Marxist–Leninist military government known as the People's Republic of Benin (1975-1990), the nation was renamed the Republic of Benin, a name derived from the Bight of Benin, to foster a broader national identity. Today, French is the official language, alongside many indigenous tongues, and its tropical economy heavily relies on agriculture, especially palm oil and cotton exports, while Christianity, Islam, and traditional African religions are widely practiced.