Benin: flag, capital and map

Benin at a glance: its flag, its capital Porto-Novo, its population and where it sits on the world map. Plus a way to test yourself afterwards.

Flag — Benin
Benin: its flag

Adopted on 16 November 1959, on the eve of independence for Benin, then Dahomey, this tricolour was dropped in 1975 under the Marxist People’s Republic in favour of a green flag with a red star, before being restored on 1 August 1990 with the return to pluralism.

Green, in the vertical stripe, stands for hope; yellow for the wealth of the northern savannas; red for the courage of the ancestors — these pan-African colours echo, in a different order, those of neighbouring Mali or Senegal.

Location map — Benin
Benin on the world map
Explore on the world map

Benin in figures

Capital
Porto-Novo
Population
14.1 million inhabitants as of 2023
Area
114,763 km²
Currency
West African CFA franc
Official language
French
Demonym
Beninese
Official name
Republic of Benin
Internet domain
.bj
Calling code
+229
UN member since
Admission date: 20-09-1960

Benin: bordering countries

4 bordering countries

Test your knowledge

So you know this country? Check that you know the other 192 too.

Data: Wikidata (CC0). Flags and map: Geo Nerd.

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