Cotonou, Economic capital in Littoral Department, Benin.
Cotonou is the economic capital in Littoral Department, Benin, sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Nokoué. A canal separates the ocean from the lake, built in 1855 during the French colonial period to improve water transport through the area.
In the early 1800s, the site was a small fishing settlement under the Kingdom of Dahomey, with only a few families living along the shore. The French opened a trading post in 1851 after signing a treaty with the king, gradually expanding their influence over the following decades.
The name comes from the Fon language and means 'river of death', recalling how dangerous the waters once were for sailors and boats. Today, fishermen still use traditional canoes along the coast and the lake, keeping that connection to the water alive in daily routines and trade.
Streets can get crowded during peak hours, so it helps to allow extra time when moving around the city. The port and the railway line to Niger are central landmarks that make it easier to find your way through different neighborhoods.
Although Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin, most government offices and ministries are based here instead. This makes the city the real administrative center of the country, even if it does not hold the title on paper.
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