Benin

The Republic of Benin (République du Bénin) since 1990. Previously the People's Republic of Benin (1975–90) and the Republic of Dahomey (1960–75). In the 17th century the King of Abomey, Wegbaja, defeated Dã, the king of an adjacent state, whose body was interred in the palace that Wegbaja was building. He called his joint kingdom Dã-ho-mé, 'On the Belly of Dã'. After two years of fighting Dahomey became a French protectorate in 1894 and in 1904 it was incorporated into the Federation of French West Africa. It gained its independence in 1960. In 1975 the country was renamed Benin after the bay in the Atlantic Ocean, the Bight of Benin, itself named after the historic Kingdom of Benin (and known during the 18th century as the Slave Coast), now in Nigeria. The name Benin may be derived from the Bini, its original inhabitants.

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