Capital: Porto-Novo ; Surface area: 114,763 km² ; Population: 12.86 million

Benin is located in West Africa in the tropical zone between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. It is bordered to the north by the Niger River which separates it from the Republic of Niger; to the northwest by Burkina Faso, to the west by Togo, to the east by Nigeria and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.

Originally, the land of present-day Benin was occupied by several kingdoms. The most prominent were called Danhomé (Abomey), Xogbonou (Porto-Novo), Allada, Nikki, Kouandé and Kandi. The first rulers of Abomey and Porto-Novo came from the Adja-Fon migration from neighboring Togo (Tado). The other peoples came from present-day Nigeria, Niger or Burkina-Faso. Thus, the country was once a home of ancient and brilliant civilizations, built around these kingdoms: city-states. These political entities, well structured, were provided with functional urban centers.

Benin perpetuates a rich and centuries-old cultural tradition. The population attaches great importance to spirituality, and religious practice, whether traditional or modern, is an important part of daily life. In addition, Benin is considered the cradle of Voodoo because more than 80% of the Beninese population practice this traditional religion that some people also call Animism.