1st August: Benin

Benin gained Independence on this date in 1960 from France. Here are 10 things you might not know about Benin.

1. The capital of Benin is Porto Novo. The name is of Portuguese origin and means "New Port". It was originally developed as a port for the slave trade. It is also called also known as Hogbonu or Ajashe.
2. The area around Porto Novo was once called the "Slave Coast" as large numbers of African slaves were shipped from there. By about 1750, the Kingdom of Dahomey (a part of Benin) earned about £250,000 a year from the slave trade. The last ship of slaves departed from Dahomey for Brazil in 1885.
3. Now, the biggest export is cotton. Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts.
4. Although the parliament is in the official capital of Porto Novo, most of the government departments are based in the largest city, Cotonou. This city's name comes from the Fon language and means "by the river of death".
5. Benin was formerly known as Dahomey but was re-named in 1975. The new name was chosen because it was a neutral one, after the body of water on which the country lies, the Bight of Benin.
6. The country measures about 325 km (202 mi) at its widest point. It is a little smaller than the US state of Pennsylvania or about two thirds the size of Portugal.
7. Most of the people follow Christianity or Islam, but there is also a significant number who follow voodoo, or vodun, which is also an official religion. Benin is sometimes referred to as the cradle of vodun.
8. Many people in Benin have names which reflect the day of the week on which they were born, their birth order and the circumstances under which they were born. There are names, for example, given to babies who were born in a field, on the road, in time of war, prematurely, babies who are illegitimate, born after their father's death or after infertility. The second born of a set of Twins is deemed to be the elder, as s/he was mature enough to let the other one be born first.
9. Pendjari National Park in Benin is one of the most important strongholds for the endangered West African lion.
10. Mont Sokbaro is the highest point of Benin, with an altitude of 658 metres (2,159 ft).