A Postcard from Bénin

Postcard

Benin is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.

From the 17th to the 19th century the  region was referred to as the Slave Coast due to the large number of slaves shipped to the New World.

After slavery was abolished Dahomey became a French protectorate in 1892. In 1958 it became the République du Dahomey, self-governing within the French community. On 1 August 1960, the Republic of Dahomey gained full independence from France. The country was renamed Benin in 1975. 

The nation is highly dependent on subsistence farming; growing beans, corn, cotton, cocoa and coffee. Tourism is on the increase, especially along the coastal areas, and in the wildlife national parks of the north.

Stamp

Cardinal Bernadin Gantin (1922- 2008).

The most prominent black African Catholic cleric of modern times once tipped to be pope

The Guardian, Thursday 15 May 2008

THX Rod!