Benin, with a population of about 13.4 million as of 2022, is primarily populated in the southern region. The country is both linguistically and culturally rich, with 55 languages and 42 distinct ethnic groups. French, the official language, remains from Benin’s colonial period under French rule from 1872 to 1960. Of the 55 languages, 50 are recognized as national languages. Fon and Yoruba are the most widely spoken in the south, while Bariba and Fulfulde are prevalent in the north. Porto-Novo is the official capital, though Cotonou, the largest and most populous city, serves as the administrative center.
The southern part of Benin features expansive palm groves, lagoons, and the fertile Terre de Barre plateau, known for its marshes. The central region is dominated by savannah, woodlands, and extensive cotton fields, as Benin is one of Africa’s top cotton producers. The north and northeast contain two of Africa’s most significant protected ecosystems, Pendjari National Park and W National Park. These parks are home to West Africa’s largest elephant population and support one of the last viable populations of the West African lion, Northwest African cheetah, and Korrigum antelope.
During the 17th century, at the height of the transatlantic slave trade, the syncretic religion of Voodoo emerged in Benin as a means for enslaved Africans to maintain their cultural identity and spiritual heritage under the oppressive conditions of slavery. Voodoo centers on the belief in a supreme being, alongside a pantheon of deities, or loa, each with specific roles and responsibilities in the spiritual realm. Practised in secret, Voodoo followers used spells and charms for protection and to safeguard their loved ones.
After slavery was abolished in the 19th century, Voodoo continued to flourish in Benin and other parts of West Africa, despite severe persecution and marginalization by European colonial authorities and Christian missionaries who saw it as a threat to their own religious beliefs. In the 20th century, Voodoo saw a revival in Benin and other African countries as part of a broader movement to reclaim traditional African spirituality and culture. Today, Voodoo is officially recognized in Benin and practiced by millions across the country.
The legacy and tensions of the slave trade remain evident in Benin today. Physical remnants, such as historic slave ports and coastal forts, bear witness to this past—Ouidah, for instance, was one of Africa’s most active slave-trading ports. Centuries of exploitation and oppression shaped Benin’s cultural and social structures. In recent years, however, Benin has made strides toward acknowledging and addressing this painful history, including establishing museums dedicated to commemorating the victims of the slave trade.
Top destinations in Benin include the capital city, Porto-Novo, and the administrative hub of Cotonou, along with the historic royal city of Abomey and the spiritual center of Vodun, Ouidah. Visitors are also drawn to Dassa-Zoumé, the unique stilt village of Ganvié, the coastal town of Grand-Popo, the serene Lac Ahémè, and the scenic Atakora region and its surrounding mountains. Pendjari National Park, one of Africa’s most biodiverse reserves, is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Benin offers an extraordinary and unparalleled travel experience, promising rich cultural encounters and unforgettable surprises.