Benin Maps & Facts (original) (raw)

Physical Map of Benin with state boundaries. Details the physical features of the country, including relief, major rivers, cities, and various national parks.

Benin is a country in West Africa that encompasses an area of 112,622 sq. km. It has a coastline of 121 km on the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

There is not much variation in elevation in Benin with the average elevation being 200m. The landscape transitions from a narrow and somewhat sandy coastal area to a marshy land with lagoons that rise into the La Terre de Barre Plateau. The wooded savannah of the plateau continues on into the foothills of the Atakora Mountains of the northwest, a branch of the Togo Mountains.

Benin's highest point is Mt. Sokbaro, which rises 658 m. It has been marked on the map by a yellow upright triangle. The lowest point of the country is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 m.

From the mountainous northwest, the land slopes down into a broad plain and on to the Niger River valley of the far northeast. The Niger and Ouémé are the country's major rivers.

Departments of Benin Map

Political Map of Benin showing 12 departments and their capitals, and the national capital of Porto Novo.

Benin has 12 departments which are divided into 77 communes which are further subdivided into arrondissements.

The 12 departments in alphabetical order are: Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, and Zou.

With an area of 26,242 sq. km, Alibori is the largest department by area and Atlantique is the most populous one.

Porto-Novo, the national capital of Benin, is located in the Ouémé Department.

Where is Benin?

Map showing location of Benin in the world.

Benin is a country in West Africa located in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres of the Earth. Four countries border Benin. These are Niger to the northeast, Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, and Burkina Faso to the northeast. To the south, Benin has a small stretch of coastline on the Bight of Benin which is part of the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

Benin Bordering Countries:Nigeria, The Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo.

Regional Maps: Map of Africa

Outline Map of Benin

Key Facts

Legal Name Republic of Benin
Flag Flag of Benin
Capital City Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)
6 29 N, 2 37 E
Total Area 112,622.00 km2
Land Area 110,622.00 km2
Water Area 2,000.00 km2
Population 11,801,151
Major Cities Abomey-Calavi (1,252,890) Cotonou (722,139) Parakou (408,305) Djougou (382,184)
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF)
GDP $14.39 Billion
GDP Per Capita $1,219.43

This page was last updated on February 24, 2021