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- Official Benin
Tourism Web Site. "Benin's West African heritage
offers numerous attractions for discovery by the
interested tourist. Travelers here will find a microcosm
of Africa's wonders: rhythmic folk dances and elaborate
ceremonies; vast national parks and nature reserves;
varied animal life and changing landscapes; groves of
coconut trees set upon sandy beaches; exotic foods and
beautiful handicrafts; and, most importantly, a warm,
hospitable people.
Benin's geography, culture and heritage varies from region
to region. The southern part of Benin is more heavily
populated and more developed, while the northern is less
so, and thereby can be said to have a more "traditional"
appeal; it also is the best spot for wildlife viewing, as
Benin's two major game parks are located there.
Many visitors begin their journeys in the south, which is
made up of three main "departements" along the coastline:
the Mono, bordering Togo on the west; the Atlantique in
the center, and the Ouémé to the east, bordering Nigeria.
The Atlantique is home to Cotonou, Benin's economic
capital and the site of the major airport. Here, tourists
will find great shopping, a wide variety of dining
choices, museums and cultural centers and many
opportunities for people-watching. Also in the Atlantique
are a variety of day trips one can make from Cotonou, such
as a tour of Ganvié, where traditional thatched houses sit
on stilts over a lagoon; or a day spent in Ouidah, the
former slave post and "Voodoo" capital of Benin. The Mono
region contains, among other things, some of Benin's most
beautiful beaches. The Ouémé is home to Porto Novo,
Benin's nominal capital..."
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