Q 01/05

What is the official capital of Benin?

A) Abomey

B) Cotonou

C) Porto-Novo

D) Ouidah

Answer · why

C) Porto-Novo

The larger coastal city to its west is the seat of government where most ministries and embassies actually sit.

Q 02/05

Which city is Benin's largest and its seat of government, though not its official capital?

A) Cotonou

B) Parakou

C) Djougou

D) Porto-Novo

Answer · why

A) Cotonou

Its name means "by the river of death" in Fon; it has the country's only seaport and international airport.

Q 03/05

In which year was Dahomey renamed Benin, after the Bight of Benin?

A) 1980

B) 1975

C) 1990

D) 1977

Answer · why

B) 1975

The Marxist regime chose the new name because "Dahomey" was tied only to the Fon people of the south.

Q 04/05

Which two countries border Benin to the west and east?

A) Togo and Cameroon

B) Ghana and Nigeria

C) Togo and Nigeria

D) Ivory Coast and Niger

Answer · why

C) Togo and Nigeria

Burkina Faso and Niger lie to the north; the whole country is only 121 km wide at the coast.

Q 05/05

Benin celebrates its Independence Day on which date?

A) 26 October

B) 1 August

C) 30 November

D) 1 March

Answer · why

B) 1 August

Full independence came in 1960 after two years of autonomy within the French community.