Cotonou (Benin, Porto-Novo)

Cotonou (fka Kutonu) is the largest port city and the economic center of Benin. Cotonou is located in Benin's southeastern part, located between Lake Nokoue and the Atlantic Ocean. The city has population around 770,000 (metro around 1,2 million), with its urban area constantly expanding (notably to the west).

Port Cotonou (locode BJCOO) is also the cruise port for Porto-Novo (the country's capital city) located approx 38 km (24 mi) to the northeast by road. Porto-Novo is Benin's second-largest city by population (around 270,000). The region's economy is based on shipping, production of palm oil, cotton, cement, textiles, brewing, trade. Main exports are petroleum (from offshore oil drilling platforms), bauxite (sedimentary rock with a high aluminum content) and iron.

In addition to being the largest city in Benin, Cotonou is also the seat of government (though the official capital is Porto-Novo). It is home to most of the government buildings and diplomatic services in Benin. The city is a major port, as well as home to an airport and railway that links to Parakou. Other characteristics of Cotonou include Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Friendship Stadium, Cotonou Central Mosque, Ancien Pont Bridge and 20-hectares Dantokpa Market, which features a commercial turnover of more than one billion CFA Francs per day. Another familiar feature of the town is the motorcycle-taxis (Zemidjans).