Benin

Be·nin  (b-nn, b-nn) 1. A former kingdom of western Africa, now part of Nigeria. It flourished from the 14th to the 17th century. 2. Formerly Da·ho·mey (d-hm, dä-ô-m) A country of western Africa. Originally made up of several ancient kingdoms colonized by France in the 19th century, it became independent in 1960 and was renamed Benin in 1975. Porto-Novo is the capital and Cotonou the largest city. Population: 8,080,000. 3. also Benin City A city of southern Nigeria on the Benin River, about 161 km (100 mi) long. The city is known for its bronze works of art. Population: 1,120,000.

Benin

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Benin, Bight of

A wide indentation of the Gulf of Guinea in western Africa.

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Benin [bɛˈniːn]

n

1. (Placename) a republic in W Africa, on the Bight of Benin, a section of the Gulf of Guinea: in the early 19th century a powerful kingdom, famed for its women warriors; became a French colony in 1893, gaining independence in 1960. It consists chiefly of coastal lagoons and swamps in the south, a fertile plain and marshes in the centre, and the Atakora Mountains in the northwest. Official language: French. Religion: animist majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Porto Novo (the government is based in Cotonou). Pop.: 6 591 000 (2001 est.). Area: 112 622 sq. km (43 474 sq. miles) Former name (until 1975) Dahomey

2. (Placename) a former kingdom of W Africa, powerful from the 14th to the 17th centuries: now a province of S Nigeria: noted for its bronzes

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Benin - a country on western coast of Africa; formerly under French control Dahomey, Republic of Benin capital of Benin, Porto Novo - the capital of Benin in southwestern part of country on a coastal lagoon Cotonou - chief port of Benin on the Bight of Benin Africa - the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean Niger, Niger River - an African river; flows into the South Atlantic Beninese - a native or inhabitant of Benin Ewe - a member of a people living in southern Benin and Togo and southeastern Ghana