COTONOU

port city and de facto capital of Benin (formerly Dahomey), situated along the Gulf of Guinea. It is the starting point of the so-called Benin-Niger Railway, which extends 273 miles (439 km) into the interior but ends in the middle of Benin at Parakou. Goods can be moved another 200 miles (322 km) by road to the navigable Niger River. Modern artificial deepwater port facilities at Cotonou to serve both Benin and Togo were completed in 1965. Cotonou is the economic hub of Benin and is the nation's largest urban centre. Its industries include brewing, textile production, and palm-oil processing. The country's president and most government ministers reside in Cotonou. The National University of Benin (1970) is also located in the city. Pop. (1992 est.) 533,212.