Benin

Benin stretches like a narrow corridor from the Gulf of Guinea northward into the West African interior — a compact nation with outsized cultural significance. This is the cradle of Vodun spirituality, home to the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey whose female warriors inspired legends, and the departure point for millions during the Atlantic slave trade.

Modern Benin is a democratic success story in West Africa, with peaceful transfers of power since 1991. From the stilt village of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué to the royal palaces of Abomey, from the vibrant markets of Cotonou to the wildlife-rich Pendjari National Park, Benin offers authentic West African experiences without the tourist infrastructure — or crowds — of its neighbors.

Benin covers 114,763 km² in a narrow strip averaging just 125 km wide but stretching 700 km from coast to sahel. The southern coast features lagoons and palm-lined beaches. Central Benin is characterized by flat plateaus and savanna. The Atakora Mountains in the northwest reach 658 meters and harbor the remarkable Somba people with their fortified tower houses (tata somba).

Vodun (Voodoo) permeates daily life — January 10 is National Vodun Day, a public holiday. Temples, shrines, and ceremonies are visible throughout southern Benin. The annual Vodun Festival in Ouidah draws practitioners and curious visitors from around the world.

Benin's music scene thrives with Afrobeat, highlife, and traditional rhythms. Angélique Kidjo, Benin's most famous daughter, has won multiple Grammy Awards. The country's textile traditions, particularly wax-print fabrics, are celebrated across West Africa.

Porto-Novo, the official capital, is a charming colonial-era city on a lagoon, known for its Afro-Brazilian architecture built by freed slaves who returned from Brazil. Cotonou, the economic capital and largest city (population ~800,000), is the country's commercial hub with the massive Dantokpa Market — one of West Africa's largest.

Benin has one of West Africa's freest press environments. Multiple independent newspapers and radio stations operate. La Nation is the state newspaper; Le Matinal and Fraternité are leading independents.

Benin is West Africa distilled to its essence — spiritual, vibrant, complicated, and deeply human. From the haunting Door of No Return in Ouidah to the living traditions of Vodun, this small country carries enormous historical weight with quiet dignity and warm hospitality.