The capital city of Benin is Porto-Novo. It is located in a bay of the Gulf of Guinea to the southeast of the country. The municipality covers an area of 110 square kilometers and in 2005 had a population of 234,168 people.It is the second largest city in Benin, and although Porto-Novo is the official capital, the city of Cotonou is not only bigger, capital city Of Benin also have more important, politically and culturally: Cotonou is the seat of government.
Capital City Of Benin
The charms of Porto Novo are large as shown, at the entrance, the palm grove that surrounds it. The streets of the capital show the antiquity of another time in its oldest area and offer clues of its foundation in the sixteenth century .Name of the city is of Portuguese origin, which means “New Port.” Originally developed as a port for the slave trade.
Do You Know Belmopan is the capital city of Belize ?
History Of Porto-Novo
In 1863 , the British, who were active in neighboring Nigeria , bombed the city, which convinced the Kingdom of Porto-Novo which is the capital city of Benin to accept French protection. Abomey ‘s neighboring kingdom opposed France ‘s involvement in the region and war broke out between the two states. In 1883 , Porto-Novo joined the French colony of Dahomey and its dependencies. “In 1900 , it became the capital of Dahomey .The kings of Porto-Novo continued to rule in the city, both officially and unofficially, until the death of the last king, Alohinto Gbeffa , in 1976 – Beginning in 1908 , the king had the title of Chef suprieur.
Interesting Facts About Porto-Novo
Many Afro-Brazilians settled in Porto-Novo which is the capital city of Benin after their return to Africa after the emancipation of Brazil . The architecture and food of Brazil are important for the cultural life of the city. Porto-Novo is a port located on the bay of Porto-Novo in the Gulf of Guinea, in the southeastern part of the country.
Population :-
Porto Novo had an estimated population of 234,168 in 2005. Population trend:
1979 : 133,168
1992 : 179,138
2000 : 210,400
2002 : 223552
2005 : 234,168
Economy :-
Porto-Novo has a cement factory . The city houses a branch of the Banque Internationale du Benin, a major bank in Benin , and the Ouando Market. The region around Porto-Novo produces palm , cotton and kapok oil . It was discovered oil off the coast of the city in the 1990s , and has become an important export product.
Culture :-
This place is in the indicative list of the World Heritage of the UNESCO the 31 of October of 1996 in the category of Culture. The Porto Novo Ethnography Museum contains a large collection of Yoruba masks , as well as articles on the history of the city and Benin. Palace of King Toffa, now a museum, shows what the life of African royalty was like. Jardin Place Jean Bayol is a large square containing a statue of the first king of Porto-Novo. The Da Silva Museum is a museum of Benin history. It shows what life was like for those who return Afro-Brazilians.
