Porto-Novo
Porto-Novo
Ajashe, Hogbonu | |
|---|---|
Capital city and commune | |
Skyline of Porto-Novo Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo Porto-Novo Cathedral Statue of the King Toffa I Ouando Market | |
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Coat of arms | |
Porto-Novo Location in Benin Porto-Novo Location in Africa | |
| Coordinates: 6°29′50″N 2°36′18″E / 6.49722°N 2.60500°E | |
| Country | Benin |
| Department | Ouémé |
| Established | 16th century |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Emmanuel Zossou |
| Area | |
• Capital city and commune | 110 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 110 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 38 m (125 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Capital city and commune | 264,320 |
| • Density | 2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (WAT) |
Porto-Novo (Portuguese for 'New Port', pronounced [ˈpoɾtu ˈnovu]; French: [pɔʁtɔnɔvo]; Yoruba: Àjàṣẹ́; Fon: Xɔ̀gbónù; also known as Hogbonu and Ajashe) is the capital and second-largest city of Benin. The commune covers an area of 52 square kilometres (20 sq mi) and as of 2002 had a population of 223,552 people.
In 1863, following British bombardment, Porto-Novo accepted French protection, and by 1900, it became the capital of French Dahomey. After Benin's independence in 1960, Porto-Novo retained its status as the official capital, while Cotonou emerged as the economic and administrative hub.
Situated on an inlet of the Gulf of Guinea, in the southeastern portion of the country, the city was originally developed as a port for the transatlantic slave trade led by the Portuguese Empire. It is Benin's second-largest city, and although it is the official capital, where the national legislature sits, the larger city of Cotonou is the seat of government, where most of the government buildings are situated and government departments operate.