Fishermen at Cotonou.

Benin is a country in Western Africa formerly known as Dahomey. It borders Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger; the country's short coastline to the south leads to the Bight of Benin. The capital is Porto Novo, although the seat of government is Cotonou.

Benin is located in the extreme west of the African continent, at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. It is neighbors are to the East Nigeria, to the West Togo, to the North-West Burkina-Faso, to the North-East Niger and to the South the Atlantic Ocean.

It is possible to enter Benin by road crossing one of borders with Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso or Niger. The official language of Benin is French.