Porto-Novo
Porto-Novo (Portuguese: "New Port", Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpoɾtu ˈnovu], French pronunciation: [pɔʁtɔnɔvo]; Yoruba: Àjàṣẹ́; Fon: Xɔ̀gbónù) (also known as Hogbonu and Ajashe) is the capital and second-largest city of Benin. The commune covers an area of 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi) and as of 2002 had a population of 223,552 people.
Porto-Novo
Xɔ̀gbónù Hogbonu, Àjàṣẹ́ | |
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Capital city and commune | |
Skyline, Grande Mosquee Porto-Novo, Porto Novo Cathedral, Pirogues sur lagune de Porto-Novo, Vue d'une entrée de la Grande mosquée, La statue du roi Toffa 1er, Ouando Market, Jardin des plantees et de la nature, Charles de Gaulle stadium | |
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Flag | |
Porto-Novo Location of Porto-Novo in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 6°29′50″N 2°36′18″E | |
| Country | Benin |
| Department | Ouémé |
| Established | 16th century |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Emmanuel Zossou |
| Area | |
| • Capital city and commune | 110 km2 (40 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 110 km2 (40 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 38 m (125 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Capital city and commune | 264,320 |
| • Density | 2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi) |
| Website | Official website |
Situated on an inlet of the Gulf of Guinea, in the southeastern portion of the country, the city was originally developed as a port for the transatlantic slave trade led by the Portuguese Empire. It is Benin's second-largest city, and although it is the official capital, where the national legislature sits, the larger city of Cotonou is the seat of government, where most of the government buildings are situated and government departments operate.