We are visiting Benin, a vibrant country in West Africa known for being the birthplace of many ancient traditions. There are around 14 million people living here, and the capital is Porto-Novo, though the city of Cotonou is where most of the big offices and markets are located. The official language is French, but many people speak local languages like Fon and Yoruba.

Benin covers about 114,763 square kilometers, or 44,310 square miles. To imagine its size, the country is about the same size as the state of Pennsylvania in the U.S., or roughly the same size as the island of Cuba. It is a long, thin country that stretches from the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean up to the rocky hills in the north.

The most popular sport in Benin is Football, and you will see children playing matches on almost every open patch of red dirt. Their national animal is the Leopard, a powerful cat that represents the strength of the ancient kings who once ruled the land.

The flag features a green vertical stripe on the left representing hope and the lush greenery of the south, while the right side has two horizontal stripes of yellow for the savannas and red for the courage of the ancestors.

The food is centered around fresh ingredients from the earth. The most common dish is Pounded Yam, which is a smooth, stretchy mash served with delicious spicy stews made from peanuts or vegetables. They also love Fried Plantains and fresh fish caught right out of the ocean.

Benin is home to a village called Ganvié, which is built entirely on stilts in the middle of a lake! All the houses, shops, and even the school are standing on wooden poles above the water, and everyone travels from place to place in small wooden canoes. In the city of Ouidah, there is a famous building called the Temple of Pythons, where dozens of real snakes live peacefully inside; the local people believe the snakes are sacred and bring good luck. The country is also the historical heart of Voodoo, a very old and misunderstood religion that focuses on nature and the spirits of ancestors.

From the floating villages to the ancient palaces of Abomey, Benin is a land of deep mystery and colorful culture. Merci! That means “Thank you!”