Cotonou, Benin

Cotonou, population 536,827 (1992), is the seat of government of Benin, though the official capital is Porto-Novo. Cotonou's airport and roads and rail facilities make it the transportation and communications hub of the country. Cotonou is located at 6°22' North, 2°26' East (6.36667, 2.4333). [1]

The city lies in the south east of the country, between the Atlantic Ocean and Nokoué Lake, around the Cotonou Lagoon (actually a strait).

The city is best known as a major port, and is also home to an airport and a railway to Parakou. Features of Cotonou include Cotonou Friendship Stadium, Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque and Dantokpa Market, which includes a fetish market. The National University of Benin is located in Cotonou.

Manufactures include palm oil and cake, brewing, textiles, and cement. Motor vehicles and bicycles are assembled, and there are sawmills in the city. Petroleum products, bauxite and iron are exported. Offshore drilling for oil is carried on.

Cotonou was originally dominated by the Kingdom of Dahomey from the 18th century. In 1851 the French made a treaty with the Dahomean King Gezo that allowed them to establish a trading post at Cotonou. In 1883 the French navy occupied the city to prevent British conquest of the area.