City Cotonou –The Economic Capital of Benin Republic

Economic capital of Benin and its largest city, the City Cotonou in Benin Republic accommodates around 0.8 million inhabitants. Growth of the city that had population of only 70,000 in 1960 has been phenomenal. The city lies between Atlantic Ocean and Lake Nokoue on the south west part of Benin. Housing most of the government and diplomatic services, it is the de facto as well as economic capital of Benin and is even more important than its official capital, Porto Novo.

Accommodation Options
Cotonou offers something for every type of visitors. It has got budget hotels, bed and breakfast joints, and guest houses. At the same time it has got luxury and classy hotels though one may not find youth hostels in the city.

Brief History
Cotonou means the “the mouth of river of death” in Fon language. A small fishing village at the beginning of the 19th century, it was dominated by the Kingdom of Dahomey. French people established trading post here in 1851. Finally the territory was annexed by France through a treaty on May 19th, 1868. France also occupied the city officially in 1883 to prevent British occupation. Though Behanzin, son of deceased king Glele tried challenging the treaty in 1889, he failed. Cotonou Agreement of June 2000 that replaced the earlier ACP-EU development agreement of 1975 came into force in 2003 contributing to sustainable development and eradication of poverty in Benin and Cotonou.

Popular Places and Monuments
Cotonou is the major port in Benin. It also contains airport and railway links. Friendship stadium, Cathedral, Central Mosque, Ancient Pont Bridge, Dantokpa Market, National University of Benin, and motorcycle taxis for transportation are the major points of interests in the city. Cotonou Cathedral or Notre Dame Des Aportres is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located near the attractive Ancient Pont Bridge is well known for striped tiled architecture. National university of Benin is the principal university of the country that was founded in 1970. It consists of 19 institutions and six campuses. An excellent attraction for the visitors is the Dantokpa market that spreads over 20 hectares of land.

Getting Around
Finding a guide to hassle free travel around Cotonou or for that matter across Benin could be a little troublesome. It is both time taking and may well test the patience and endurance of visitor. Buses are the best bets for long distance travels. Multiple bus companies are there in Benin and the quality is improving over the years. One can travel to other cities like Savalou, Djougou, Natiingou, Tangietta, and Parakou in Bus from Cotonou. For short distance journeys one can use the Bush Taxis and for local tours the zems or motorcycle taxis. Benin-Niger railway connects the city and country with other neighbouring countries.

Entertainment Points
Restaurants, bars, shopping complexes, beaches, natural scenarios, exotic night life and a few heritage sites are the major entertainment points in the city. One can search the Internet for information on entertainments in Cotonou.

Currency
Operative currency of Cotonou City is CFA or Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc. Code name for it is XOF and it is available in various denominations. Banknotes can be found in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000. For current conversion rates it is advisable to view the financial news bulletins or Internet. Also check for limitations relating to import of currencies in Benin.

Cotonou group accommodation | budget hotels & cheap hostels