Independence Gained
The Republic of Benin was formed on Aug. 1, 1960, when the colony of French Dahomey gained independence after France relinquished control of its African colonies.
Land of Rich History
The area that is now the Republic of Benin was once the Kingdom of Dahomey, established in 1600 on the Abomey plateau among the Fon people. The southeastern port capital, Porto-Novo, was formerly a tributary to the Yoruba Kingdom of Oyo.
