Benin

The historical kingdom of Benin gave this country its name. However, its territory was still on the territory of today's Nigeria. After the period of French colonialism and the autonomy of the small state, the inhabitants went through troubled years with an unstable government. This changed in December 1990 after the adoption of a new constitution and the commitment to human rights. Until then, Benin was the only Marxist state in the region. The tropical country has several places of interest. Especially in Ganviè, the "Venice of West Africa", the largest pile-dwelling settlement on the continent. Away from the capital Porto Novo, which owes its wealth to the former slave trade, the savannah stretches out. In the north, even lions and panthers can be found.

• Country data Benin