Cotonou

Cotonou is the largest port and city of Benin and de facto capital of Benin (formerly Dahomey). It is the starting point of the so-called Benin-Niger Railway, which extends 273 miles into the interior but ends in the middle of Benin at Parakou. Cotonou is the economic hub of Benin and is the nation's largest urban center. The country's president and most government ministers reside in Cotonou. The National University of Benin (1970) is also located in the city.