View source for Cotonou

{{Short description|Largest city in Benin}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Cotonou
| native_name      = {{nativename|fon|Kútɔ̀nú}}
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline   = {{multiple image
  | border                 = infobox
  | total_width            = 290
  | image_style            = border:1;
  | perrow                 = 1/2
  | image1                 =
  | image2                 =
  | image3                 =
  | image4                 =
}}
| image_map          = 
| map_caption        = Location within [[Benin]]
| pushpin_map        = Benin
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_mapsize    = 240
| coordinates        = {{coord|6|22|N|2|26|E|region:BJ|display=inline,title}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Cotonou.gif
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Benin}}
| subdivision_type1  = Department
| subdivision_name1  = [[Littoral Department]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = {{ill|Luc Atrokpo|fr}}
| area_total_km2     = 79
| elevation_m        = 51
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.populationdata.net/pays/benin/|title=Bénin • Fiche pays • PopulationData.net|access-date=2020-03-24|archive-date=2023-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103407/https://www.populationdata.net/pays/benin/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_total   = 679,012
| population_as_of   = 2013 census
| population_density_km2 = auto
| image_blank_emblem = 
| image_shield       = File:Emblem of Cotonou.jpg
| timezone           = [[West Africa Time|WAT]]
| utc_offset         = +01:00
}}

'''Cotonou''' ({{IPA|fr|kɔtɔnu}}; {{langx|fon|Kútɔ̀nú}})<ref>Spelt '''Kotonu''' in {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Abomey |volume=1 |page=67}}</ref> is the largest city and [[seat of government]] of [[Benin]]. Its official population count was 679,012 in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=cotonou population 2.4 million - Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=cotonou+population+2.4+million&safe=active|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.google.com}}</ref> The urban area continues to expand, notably toward the west. The city lies in the southeast of the country, between the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Lake Nokoué]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2004 |title=GNS: Country Files |url=http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504031911/http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |archive-date=4 May 2012 |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=Earth-info.nga.mil.}}</ref>

Cotonou is the [[seat of government]] of the Republic of Benin, where most of the government buildings are situated, government departments operate and foreign embassies are located, but the official capital, where the national legislature sits, is the smaller city of [[Porto-Novo]].

==History==
[[File:Fort de Cotonou-1900 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Fort of Cotonou in 1900]]
{{see also|Timeline of Cotonou}}
The name "Cotonou" means "by the river of death" in the [[Fon language]].<ref name="Bradt">Butler, Stuart (2019) ''Bradt Travel Guide - Benin'', pgs. 74-91</ref> At the beginning of the 19th century, Cotonou (then spelled "Kutonou") was a small fishing village, and is thought to have been formally founded by King [[Ghezo]] of [[Dahomey]] in 1830.<ref name="Bradt"/> It grew as a centre for the [[History of slavery|slave trade]], and later [[palm oil]] and [[cotton]].<ref name="Bradt"/> In 1851 the [[French Second Republic]] made a treaty with King Ghezo that allowed them to establish a trading post at Cotonou.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benin - History|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Benin|access-date=2021-07-06|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> During the reign of King [[Glele]] (1858–89), the territory was ceded to the [[Second French Empire]] by a treaty signed in 1878.<ref>Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, ''Historical Dictionary of Benin'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2013, p. 117</ref> In 1883, the [[French Navy]] occupied the city to prevent British conquest of the area.

After Glele's death in 1889, King [[Béhanzin]] unsuccessfully tried to challenge the treaty. The town grew rapidly following the building of the harbour in 1908.<ref name="Bradt" />

The population in 1960 was only 70,000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benin Population (2021) - Worldometer|url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/benin-population/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.worldometers.info|language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Lagoon in Cotonou02.jpg|thumb|The [[Ouémé River]] as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Cotonou]]
Cotonou is on the coastal strip between [[Lake Nokoué]] and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is cut in two by a canal, the lagoon of Cotonou, dug by the French in 1855. Three bridges are in this area. The [[Ouémé River]] flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Cotonou.
[[File:Akpakpa bridge of Cotonou.jpg|thumb|Bridge in Cotonou]]
The city has established transportation infrastructure including air, sea, river (to [[Porto Novo]]), and land routes that facilitate trade with its neighbors [[Nigeria]], [[Niger]], [[Burkina Faso]] and [[Togo]].

[[Coastal erosion]] has been noted for several decades. It worsened in 1961 following construction of the [[Nangbeto Dam]] and deep-water port of Cotonou. A pilot project funded by the [[United Nations Environment Program]] (UNEP) revealed that in 40 years, the coast to the east of Cotonou had retreated by 400 meters.<ref>IRIN Humanitarian News. BENIN: [http://www.irinnews.org/report/80126/benin-coastal-erosion-threatening-to-wipe-out-parts-of-cotonou Coastal erosion threatening to wipe out parts of Cotonou.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208020051/http://www.irinnews.org/report/80126/benin-coastal-erosion-threatening-to-wipe-out-parts-of-cotonou |date=2015-12-08 }}</ref> This erosion has led many people to leave their homes along the coast.<ref>[http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Benins_Cotonou_a_city_slowly_swallowed_by_waves_999.html "Benin's Cotonou – a city slowly swallowed by waves"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516070235/http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Benins_Cotonou_a_city_slowly_swallowed_by_waves_999.html |date=2019-05-16 }}, ''The Terra Daily'', 25 January 2008</ref>

==Climate==
Under [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen's climate classification]], Cotonou features a [[tropical wet and dry climate]], alternating with two rainy seasons (April–July and September–October, totalling {{convert|1000|to|1300|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rain per year) and two dry seasons. In December and January, the city is affected by [[harmattan]] winds. Temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with the average high temperatures hovering around {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}}, and average low temperatures at around {{convert|25|°C|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cotonou climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Cotonou water temperature - Climate-Data.org|url=https://en.climate-data.org/africa/benin/littoral/cotonou-714874/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=en.climate-data.org}}</ref>

{{Weather box | width=auto
| metric first = Yes 
| single line  = Yes 
| location     = Cotonou (1991–2020, extremes 1910–present)
| Jan record high C = 36.1
| Feb record high C = 38.6
| Mar record high C = 36.0
| Apr record high C = 35.4
| May record high C = 39.0
| Jun record high C = 33.0
| Jul record high C = 33.5
| Aug record high C = 31.8
| Sep record high C = 31.6
| Oct record high C = 33.4
| Nov record high C = 35.4
| Dec record high C = 36.6
| year record high C = 39.0
 | Jan high C = 31.6
 | Feb high C = 32.2
 | Mar high C = 32.3
 | Apr high C = 32.0
 | May high C = 31.3
 | Jun high C = 29.6
 | Jul high C = 28.5
 | Aug high C = 28.2
 | Sep high C = 29.0
 | Oct high C = 30.1
 | Nov high C = 31.6
 | Dec high C = 31.9
 | year high C = 30.7
 | Jan mean C = 28.0
 | Feb mean C = 29.2
 | Mar mean C = 29.6
 | Apr mean C = 29.2
 | May mean C = 28.4
 | Jun mean C = 27.1
 | Jul mean C = 26.5
 | Aug mean C = 26.2
 | Sep mean C = 26.7
 | Oct mean C = 27.3
 | Nov mean C = 28.4
 | Dec mean C = 28.4
 | year mean C = 27.9
 | Jan low C = 24.4
 | Feb low C = 26.0
 | Mar low C = 26.8
 | Apr low C = 26.3
 | May low C = 25.4
 | Jun low C = 24.5
 | Jul low C = 24.4
 | Aug low C = 24.1
 | Sep low C = 24.3
 | Oct low C = 24.5
 | Nov low C = 25.3
 | Dec low C = 24.9
 | year low C = 25.1
| Jan record low C = 17.0
| Feb record low C = 17.9
| Mar record low C = 18.5
| Apr record low C = 20.7
| May record low C = 19.6
| Jun record low C = 20.0
| Jul record low C = 18.8
| Aug record low C = 19.8
| Sep record low C = 20.0
| Oct record low C = 19.1
| Nov record low C = 21.0
| Dec record low C = 17.9
| year record low C = 17.0
 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 19.4
 | Feb precipitation mm = 38.2
 | Mar precipitation mm = 80.5
 | Apr precipitation mm = 126.1
 | May precipitation mm = 213.0
 | Jun precipitation mm = 333.2
 | Jul precipitation mm = 135.2
 | Aug precipitation mm = 39.0
 | Sep precipitation mm = 134.9
 | Oct precipitation mm = 165.1
 | Nov precipitation mm = 43.9
 | Dec precipitation mm = 12.1
 | year precipitation mm = 1340.6
 | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 2
 | Feb precipitation days = 3
 | Mar precipitation days = 6
 | Apr precipitation days = 9
 | May precipitation days = 14
 | Jun precipitation days = 18
 | Jul precipitation days = 11
 | Aug precipitation days = 9
 | Sep precipitation days = 14
 | Oct precipitation days = 13
 | Nov precipitation days = 5
 | Dec precipitation days = 1
 | year precipitation days = 105
 | Jan humidity = 75.5
 | Feb humidity = 77.3
 | Mar humidity = 78.2
 | Apr humidity = 79.8
 | May humidity = 81.3
 | Jun humidity = 84.1
 | Jul humidity = 84.2
 | Aug humidity = 83.7
 | Sep humidity = 83.8
 | Oct humidity = 83.1
 | Nov humidity = 80.6
 | Dec humidity = 77.9
 | year humidity =

 | Jan sun = 188.8
 | Feb sun = 188.3
 | Mar sun = 213.5
 | Apr sun = 209.7
 | May sun = 196.5
 | Jun sun = 137.7
 | Jul sun = 141.3
 | Aug sun = 150.8
 | Sep sun = 155.1
 | Oct sun = 200.9
 | Nov sun = 233.0
 | Dec sun = 219.1
 | year sun = 2234.7
| source 1 = NOAA<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Benin/CSV/Cotonou_65344.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Cotonou
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 4, 2024
|archive-date = January 4, 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240104175632/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Benin/CSV/Cotonou_65344.csv
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
| source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name = meteoclimat>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=812
| title = Station Cotonou
| publisher = Meteo Climat
| language = fr
| access-date = 11 June 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200305160814/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=812
| archive-date = 5 March 2020
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
| date     = March 2011
}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Bénin Cotonou Place of Red Star.jpg|thumb|Red Star Square]]
*1979: 320,348 (census count)
*1992: 536,827 (census count)
*2002: 665,100 (census count)
*2013: 679,012 (census count)

[[French language|French]] is the official language of Benin. Other languages spoken in Cotonou include [[Fon language|Fon]], [[Aja language (Niger-Congo)|Aja]] and [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ethnologue.com/country/BJ/languages| title = Languages of Benin| publisher = [[Ethnologue]]| access-date = 26 November 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190524234619/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/bj/languages| archive-date = 24 May 2019| url-status = live}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==Transport==
{{Further|Transport in Benin|Cotonou Lighthouse}}
[[File:Port autonome de Cotonou vu de haut (1).jpg|thumb|Autonomous Port of Cotonou]]
The Autonomous Port of Cotonou is one of the largest in West Africa. The city is connected to [[Parakou]] in the north by the Benin-Niger railway. [[Cadjehoun Airport|Cotonou International Airport]] provides service to the capitals of the region and to France, as well as the major cities of Benin: Parakou, [[Kandi, Benin|Kandi]], [[Natitingou]], [[Djougou]], and [[Savé]]. There are road connections to neighboring countries: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and [[Togo]]. A prevalent mode of transport in the city is the motorcycle-taxi, known locally as [[zémidjan]].<ref name="Bradt"/>

In 2015 a suburban passenger railway line was being developed between Cotonou and [[Pahou]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bollore-africa-logistics.com/en/media/news/benirail-concession.html |title=Benirail concession: Bolloré Group starts rehabilitation work on the Cotonou-Parakou rail link |date=2 June 2015|publisher=Bolloré Africa Logistics|access-date=2015-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923193429/http://www.bollore-africa-logistics.com/en/media/news/benirail-concession.html |archive-date=2015-09-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Rue principale de Ganhi-Cotonou.JPG|thumb|Downtown of Cotonou]]
[[File:Palais Des Congres De Cotonou.jpg|thumb|Congress Palace of Cotonou]]
[[File:BCEAO tower Cotonou, Benin2.jpg|thumb|[[BCEAO Tower (Cotonou)|BCEAO Tower Cotonou]]]]
Important manufactured goods include [[palm oil]], [[brewing]], [[textiles]], and [[cement]].<ref>Britannica,
[https://www.britannica.com/place/Cotonou Cotonou] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422150638/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cotonou |date=2016-04-22 }}, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref>
[[automobile|Motor vehicles]] and [[bicycle]]s are assembled, and there are [[sawmill]]s in the city. [[Petroleum]] products, [[bauxite]], and [[iron]] are major exports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cotonou, Benin|url=https://www.affordabletours.com/cruises/search/portsrch/?port=727|access-date=2021-07-06|website=AffordableTours.com|language=en}}</ref> There are offshore platforms drilling for [[Petroleum|oil]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.offshore-mag.com/rigs-vessels/article/14036896/total-to-station-fsru-offshore-benin|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.offshore-mag.com|date=25 July 2019 }}</ref> The city is a centre for the automotive trade, with European brands being sold from vast open-air parking lots. In the past, Citroën assembled cars (for instance, the [[Citroën&nbsp;2CV]] and [[Citroën Ami|Ami&nbsp;8]]) locally.<ref>''World Cars 1972''. Automobile Club of Italy/Herald Books, New York: 1972. p. 403, {{ISBN|0-910714-04-5}}</ref>

By 2012, [[piracy in the Gulf of Guinea]] had significantly decreased trade at the port of Cotonou.<ref name=ap1>{{cite news| url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/un-says-piracy-off-africas-west-coast-is-increasing-becoming-more-violent/2012/02/27/gIQAdYOmeR_story.html
|agency=Associated Press |title=UN says piracy off Africa's west coast is increasing, becoming more violent |date=2012-02-27| access-date=2012-02-29|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In the Missèbo area is a [[textile]] market of African prints mainly handled by Indian wholesalers and retailers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zoneforyourprize.life/?u=tp6p605&o=zlpklzl&t=splitbro2606|access-date=2021-07-06|website=zoneforyourprize.life|title=Archived copy|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183530/https://zoneforyourprize.life/?u=tp6p605&o=zlpklzl&t=splitbro2606|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 12th arrondissement, between Boulevard de la Marina and the Atlantic Ocean, is the site of the second tallest [[Amazon Monument (Benin)|statue]] in Africa, honoring the [[Dahomey Amazons]].<ref>Cochinau S. Houngbadji, [https://beninwebtv.bj/benin-le-gouvernement-clarifie-lidentite-de-la-statue-erigee-a-esplanade-des-amazones/ "Bénin: le gouvernement clarifie l'identité de la statue érigée à "Esplanade des Amazones"], Benin Web TV (15 May 2022) (retrieved 26 October 2025).</ref>

== Places of worship ==   
<gallery mode="">
File: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Miséricorde de Cotonou.jpg |[[Cotonou Cathedral]]  ([[Catholic Church]])
File: Église des Assemblées de Dieu – Temple Salem de Cotonou.jpg| Temple Salem de Cotonou ([[Assemblies of God]])
File: Side view Central Mosque of Cotonou Jonquet in Benin.jpg | Mosquée centrale de Cotonou ([[Islam]])
</gallery>
Among the [[places of worship]], [[Christianity|Christian]] churches are predominant: [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[Protestant Methodist Church in Benin]] ([[World Methodist Council]]), [[Union of Baptist Churches of Benin]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), [[Living Faith Church Worldwide]], [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]], [[Assemblies of God]].<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 338</ref> There are also [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques.

==Education==
[[File:U.S.T.B., Domaine Universitaire de Kpondéhou, Cotonou.jpg|thumb|Benin University of Science and Technology]]
The city has a campus of the:

* [[University of Science and Technology of Benin]] (Université des sciences et technologies du Bénin)  
* African University of Technology and Management (Université africaine de technologie et de management).

Cotonou is a home to African University Institute Foundation (AUi Foundation) one of the biggest educational philanthropic foundations in Africa.

It also hosts some of the most prestigious private universities in Africa which includes:

* African University of Benin(AUB) 
* Ecole Superieure de Gestion de Technologie (ESGT UNIVERSITY BENIN)
* Ecole Supérieure D’Administration, D’Economie, De Journalisme Et Des Métiers De L’Audiovisuel (ESAE UNIVERSITY BENIN) 
* Institut Superieur de Communication d’Organisation et de Management 
* [[Iscom University Benin]]

{{Further|topic=the digital school|École 229}}

==Media==
The [[Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin]] (ORTB) — the national television and radio operator — is based in Cotonou.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B0-12-387670-2/00526-4 |chapter=French-Speaking West Africa, Status of Media in |title=Encyclopedia of International Media and Communications |date=2003 |last1=Land |first1=Mitchell |pages=209–220 |isbn=978-0-12-387670-6 }}</ref>

==Sister cities and twin towns==
* {{flagicon|USA}}  [[Atlanta]], United States
*{{flagicon|BRA}}  [[Salvador da Bahia]], Brazil
*{{flagicon|TAI}} [[Taipei|Taipei City]], Taiwan, since 1967

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Africa}}}}
* [[Timeline of Cotonou]]
* [[Cotonou Agreement]]
* [[Deep water port|List of deep water ports]]
* [[Railway stations in Benin]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820145413/http://cotonou-ca-bouge.net/ Cotonou Internet Portal]
{{Communes of Benin}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cotonou| ]]
[[Category:Communes of Benin]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1830]]