Porto-Novo, Benin

Parliament of Benin in Porto Novo
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parliament_building_of_Benin,_2007.jpg
Author: peacecorpschadsey


Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin. With a population of around 300,000 people (2012 estimate), it is the second largest city in the country after Cotonou, which is a vastly more important city.

While Cotonou enjoys a location facing the Atlantic Ocean, Porto-Novo is deeper inland. It is a port on the Gulf of Guinea, in a major agricultural region that produces palm oil, cotton and kapok.

Porto-Novo, which means "new port" in Portuguese, dates back to the Portuguese period, when it served as a port for the slave trade. In 1863, following bombardment by the British, the Kingdom of Porto-Novo was forced to seek protection from the French. However, the neighboring Kingdom of Abomey objected to any form of French intervention, leading to a war between the two kingdoms.

Kiosk selling oil by the roadside in Porto Novo, Benin
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kpayo.jpg
Author: Babylas


Porto-Novo was incorporated into the French colony of Dahomey in 1883, and was made Dahomey's capital in 1900. Although the Kingdom of Porto-Novo became defunct, the kings of Porto-Novo continued to rule, in both official and inofficial capacities, until the demise of the last king, Alohinto Gbeffa, in 1976.

Porto-Novo has a number of tourist attractions. Its parliament building is one of the modern buildings in the country. It Grand Mosque of Porto-Novo looks like a church because it was formerly one, designed in the Brazilian style.

Visiting Porto-Novo

Porto-Novo can be reached by taxi from Cotonou, where the international airport is located.

Grand Mosque of Porto Novo, Benin
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grande_mosquee_porto-novo.jpg
Author: Babylas

Places of Interest in Porto-Novo

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