Benin

Benin, a country of Western Africa, lying between the lower Niger and Dahomey. Benin was formerly one of the most powerful kingdoms in West Africa, but now it is broken up into several states of small importance, whilst all the coast-line is British, included either in the colony of Lagos, or in the Niger protectorate, which are separated by the Benin River. The soil is very fertile, producing rice, yams, palms, pepper, plantains, cotton, sugar, &c. The population is dense. The government, customs, and superstitions of Benin are like those of Ashanti. The capital, Benin, is 73 miles inland from the mouth of the Benin River, and has a population of above 15,000. Gato, a harbour lower down the river, is an important centre for the palm-oil trade. Wari or Jaku, 130 miles SE. of Benin, is on an island surrounded by a branch of the Niger. The river Benin is 2 miles wide at its mouth, but has a troublesome bar of mud. Benin was discovered by the Portuguese Alfonso de Aveiro (1486), when a large trade in slaves was carried on. The French Bight of Benin settlements (Porto Novo, Cotonou, Grand Popo, and Agoué) are on the coast of Dahomey.