The departments

Departments of Benin

||Benin is divided into 12 departments , and subdivided into 77 communes . In 1999, the previous six departments were each split into two halves, forming the current 12...

 of Benin

Benin

Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...

 are subdivided into 77 communes, which in turn are divided into arrondissements and finally into villages or city districts. Prior to 1999 provinces were broken down into 84 districts, titled either urban or rural. Before independence, the six provinces were subdivided into Cercle

Cercle

Cercle is French for circle. It can also refer to:* Cercle an administrative unit of the French Overseas Empire* Cercle , the Malian administrative unit** The specific Cercles of Mali...

s, cantons, préfectures and villages or towns.

The communes are listed below, by department:

Alibori

Alibori Department

Alibori is the largest and northernmost départements of Benin, with an area of 25,683 km² and a population of 355,950 . The department is subdivided into 6 communes, each centered at one of the principal towns: Banikoara, Gogounou, Kandi, Karimama, Malanville, and Ségbana. The department borders...

 

1. Banikoara
   Banikoara
   Banikoara is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Alibori Department of Benin. It lies 69 kilometers west of Kandi at the heart of the most productive cotton-growing region in Benin...
   
   
2. Gogounou
   Gogounou
   Gogounou is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Alibori Department of Benin, about 35 kilometres south of Kandi. The commune covers an area of 4910 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 80,013 people.-Geography:...
   
   
3. Kandi
   Kandi
   Kandi is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Alibori Department of eastern Benin. Originally a market town, Kandi is now primarily a farming centre. It lies on the nation's main north-south highway, 650 km from Cotonou and 325 miles north of Porto-Novo. The town is the capital of...
   
   
4. Karimama
5. Malanville
   Malanville
   Malanville is a city, arrondissement and commune in the Alibori Department of northeastern Benin, located across the River Niger from Niger. It is known as a centre of cross-border trade and has a major market. Malanville is also a centre for rice-growing. The commune covers an area of 3016 square...
   
   
6. Segbana
   Ségbana
   Ségbana is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Alibori Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 4471 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 52,639 people.-Geography:...
   
   

Atakora

Atakora Department

Atakora is the northwestern department of Benin, bordering Togo to the west and Burkina Faso to the north. Also, it borders the departments of Alibori, Borgou, and Donga. It is the most mountainous region of Benin, and the birth place of the president, Mathieu Kérékou...

 

1. Boukoumbé
   Boukoumbé
   Boukoumbé or Boukombé is a town, arrondissement and commune in north western Benin on the border with Togo. It is known for its market, its whipping ceremony and for its tradition of pipe making...
   
   
2. Cobly
   Cobly
   Cobly or Kobli is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Atakora Department of north-western Benin.The commune covers an area of 825 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 46,660 people.-Geography:...
   
   
3. Kérou
   Kérou
   Kérou is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 3745 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 62,632 people....
   
   
4. Kouandé
   Kouandé
   Kouandé is a town, arrondissement and commune, located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 4500 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 80,261 people. The main town had an estimated 7,127 people in 2008....
   
   
5. Matéri
   Matéri
   Matéri is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Atakora Department of north-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 4740 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 83,721 people.-References:...
   
   
6. Natitingou
   Natitingou
   Natitingou is a city and commune in north western Benin. It is about 50 km from Benin's Pendjari National Park, where tourists can see West African wildlife during the months of December through June...
   
   
7. Pehonko
   Péhonko
   Péhunco or Péhonko is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 1900 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 55,082 people.-References:...
   
   
8. Tanguiéta
   Tanguiéta
   Tanguiéta is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 5465 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 54,719 people...
   
   
9. Toucountouna
   Toucountouna
   Toucountouna is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Atakora Department of north-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 1600 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 30,154 people.-References:...
   
   

Atlantique

Atlantique Department

Atlantique is one of the twelve departments of Benin.Atlantique is divided into the communes of Abomey-Calavi, Allada, Kpomassè, Ouidah, Sô-Ava, Toffo, Tori-Bossito, and Zè.In 1999 the Littoral Department was split off from Atlantique....

 

1. Abomey-Calavi
   Abomey-Calavi
   Abomey-Calavi is a city, arrondissement, and commune located in the Atlantique Department of Benin. It is a suburb of Cotonou and is located approximately 18 km from the city centre of Cotonou....
   
   
2. Allada
   Allada
   Allada is a town, arrondissement, and commune located in the Atlantique Department of Benin.Allada was the capital of the most powerful king in Ajaland before it fell to the armies of Dahomey....
   
   
3. Kpomassè
   Kpomassè
   Kpomassè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 305 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 57,190 people....
   
   
4. Ouidah
   Ouidah
   Ouidah , also Whydah or Juda, is a city on the Atlantic coast of Benin.The commune covers an area of 364 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 76,555 people.-History:...
   
   
5. Sô-Ava
   Sô-Ava
   Sô-Ava is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 218 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 76,315 people.-References:...
   
   
6. Toffo
   Toffo
   Toffo is a town and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 515 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 74,717 people.-References:...
   
   
7. Tori-Bossito
   Tori-Bossito
   Tori-Bossito is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 263 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 44,569 people.-References:...
   
   
8. Zè
   Zè
   Zè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 543 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 72,814 people.-References:...
   
   

Borgou

Borgou Department

Borgou is one of the twelve departments of Benin. Borgou borders the country of Nigeria and the departments of Alibori, Atakora, Collines and Donga. The capital of Borgou is Parakou and the total area is 25,310 km.² or 9,772 mi.²....

 

1. Bembèrèkè
   Bembèrèkè
   Bembèrèkè is a town, arrondissement, and commune located in the Borgou Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 3348 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 94,580 people.-References:...
   
   
2. Kalalé
   Kalalé
   Kalalè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Borgou Department of eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 3586 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 100,026 people.-References:...
   
   
3. Kandi
   Kandi
   Kandi is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Alibori Department of eastern Benin. Originally a market town, Kandi is now primarily a farming centre. It lies on the nation's main north-south highway, 650 km from Cotonou and 325 miles north of Porto-Novo. The town is the capital of...
   
   
4. N'Dali
5. Nikki
   Nikki
   Nikki may refer to:*Nikki , a given name In music:*"Nikki", orchestral composition by Burt Bacharach dedicated to his daughter*Nikki , a Japanese-American singer*Nikki, an album by Japanese rock band Quruli...
   
   
6. Parakou
   Parakou
   Parakou is the largest city in eastern Benin, with an estimated population of around 188,853 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. The mayor as of 2008 was Samou Seidou Adambi and administratively the commune of Parakou makes up one of Benin's 77 communes.-Economy:Parakou lies on the main...
   
   
7. Pèrèrè
   Pèrèrè
   Pèrèrè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Borgou Department of eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 2017 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 42,891 people.-References:...
   
   
8. Sinendé
   Sinendé
   Sinendé is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Borgou Department of central Benin. The commune covers an area of 2289 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 63,373 people.-References:...
   
   
9. Tchaourou
   Tchaourou
   Tchaourou is a commune, arrondissement, and city located in the Borgou Department of Benin, a country in Western Africa, formerly known as Dahomey . It is the birthplace of current Beninese president Yayi Boni...
   
   

Collines

Collines Department

Collines is one of the twelve departments of Benin. Collines was created in 1999 after the Benin government split up the former six departments of Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme and Zou into twelve. Collinies was split from Zou. Since 2008, the capital is Savalou. The departments that...

 

1. Bantè
   Bantè
   Bantè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in western Benin. It is located in the former Zou Province of which since 1999 is part of the Collines Department. The commune covers an area of 2695 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 82,129 people...
   
   
2. Dassa-Zoumè
   Dassa-Zoumé
   Dassa-Zoumé, often shortened to Dassa, is a city in Benin, on the Cotonou to Parakou railway and the main north-south highway. The commune covers an area of 1711 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 93,967 people....
   
   
3. Glazoué
   Glazoué
   Glazoué is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Collines Department of central Benin. It is located on the railwayline from Cotonou to Parakou. The commune covers an area of 1350 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 90,475 people....
   
   
4. Ouèssè
   Ouèssè
   Ouèssè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Collines Department of central Benin.The commune covers an area of 3200 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 96,850 people.-References:...
   
   
5. Savalou
   Savalou
   Savalou is a city located in the Collines Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 2674 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 104,749 people. -External links:*...
   
   
6. Savé
   Savé
   Savé is a city in Benin, lying on the Cotonou-Parakou railway and the main north-south road. It is known for its local boulders, popular with climbers.The commune covers an area of 2228 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 67,753 people....
   
   

Donga

Donga Department

Donga is one of the twelve departments of Benin. Donga was created in 1999 when the government split up the original six departments into twelve. Donga was split from Atakora. The capital of Donga is Djougou. The total area is 10,691 km.² or 4,128mi.²....

 

1. Bassila
   Bassila
   Bassila is a town, arrondissement, and commune located in the Donga Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 120 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 71,511 people....
   
   
2. Copargo
   Copargo
   Copargo is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Donga Department of western Benin. The commune covers an area of 876 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 50,820 people.-References:...
   
   
3. Djougou Rural
4. Djougou Urban
5. Ouaké
   Ouaké
   Ouaké is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Donga Department of western Benin. The commune covers an area of 663 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 45,836 people.-References:...
   
   

Kouffo

Kouffo Department

Kouffo is one of the twelve departments of Benin. The area of Kouffo is 2,404 km.² . Kouffo borders the country of Togo and it also borders the departments of Mono, Zou, and Atlantique. Since 2008, the capital is Aplahoué...

 

1. Aplahoué
   Aplahoué
   Aplahoué is a town and arrondissement located in the Kouffo Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 572 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 116,988 people.-References:...
   
   
2. Djakotomey
   Djakotomey
   Djakotomey is a town and commune in the Kouffo Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 325 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 96,732 people.-References:...
   
   
3. Klouékanmè
   Klouékanmè
   Klouékanmè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Kouffo Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 250 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 93,324 people.-References:...
   
   
4. Lalo
5. Toviklin
   Toviklin
   Toviklin is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Kouffo Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 120 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 60,910 people.-References:...
   
   

Littoral

Littoral Department

Littoral is one of the twelve departments of Benin, and is divided into 13 arrondissements. It contains just one commune/city, Cotonou, the largest in the country and the economic capital. Littoral is the smallest of the twelve departments. The area is . Littoral was split from the Atlantique...

 

1. Cotonou
   Cotonou
   -Demographics:*1979: 320,348 *1992: 536,827 *2002: 665,100 *2005: 690,584 The main languages spoken in Cotonou include the Fon language, Aja language, Yoruba language and French.-Transport:...
   
   

Mono

Mono Department

Mono is one of the twelve departments of Benin. The capital of this department is Lokossa. The department of Kouffo was part of Mono until 1999 when the Benin government split up some of the departments and made new departments. The Gen language is only spoken in this department in Benin...

 

1. Athiémé
   Athiémé
   Athiémè is a town and arrondissement located in the Mono Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 220 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 39,481 people.-References:...
   
   
2. Bopa
   Bopa
   Bopa is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Mono Department of south-western Benin.The commune covers an area of 365 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 70,268 people.-References:...
   
   
3. Comé
   Comé
   Comè is a town and arrondissement located in the Mono Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 163 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 58,396 people.-References:...
   
   
4. Grand-Popo
   Grand-Popo
   Grand-Popo is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Mono Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 289 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 40,335 people....
   
   
5. Houéyogbé
   Houéyogbé
   Houéyogbé is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Mono Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 290 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 74,492 people.-References:...
   
   
6. Lokossa
   Lokossa
   Lokossa is an arrondissement, commune, and the capital city of Mono Department in Benin. The name Lokossa translates into English as "underneath the iroko tree"....
   
   

Ouémé

Ouémé Department

Ouémé is one of the twelve departments of Benin.In 1999 the northern part of the department was split off to form the new Plateau Department....

 

1. Adjarra
   Adjarra
   Adjarra is a town and commune in Ouémé Department, Benin.The commune covers an area of 112 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 60,112 people....
   
   
2. Adjohoun
   Adjohoun
   Adjohoun or Adjohon is a town, arrondissement, and commune in Ouémé Department, Benin. The commune is divided into 8 arrondisements and 57 villages.The commune of Adjohoun is located approximately 32 km from Porto-Novo and 62 km from Cotonou...
   
   
3. Aguégués
   Aguégués
   Aguégués is a town and commune in the Ouémé Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 52 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 26,650 people.-References:...
   
   
4. Akpro-Missérété
   Akpro-Missérété
   Akpro-Missérété is a city, arrondissement, and commune in Ouémé Department, Benin. The commune covers an area of 79 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 72,652 people.-References:...
   
   
5. Avrankou
   Avrankou
   Avrankou is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Ouémé Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 150 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 80,402 people.-References:...
   
   
6. Bonou
   Bonou
   Bonou is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Ouémé Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 275 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 29,656 people.-References:...
   
   
7. Dangbo
   Dangbo
   Dangbo is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Ouémé Department of south-eastern Benin.The commune covers an area of 340 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 66,055 people.-References:...
   
   
8. Porto Novo
9. Sèmè-Kpodji
   Sèmè-Kpodji
   Sèmè-Kpodji is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Ouémé Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 250 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 115,238 people.-References:...
   
   

Plateau

Plateau Department

Plateau is one of the twelve departments of Benin.Plateau is divided into the communes of Ifangni, Adja-Ouèrè, Kétou, Pobè and Sakété....

 

1. Ifangni
   Ifangni
   Ifangni is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Plateau Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 242 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 71,606 people.-References:...
   
   
2. Adja-Ouèrè
   Adja-Ouèrè
   Adja-Ouèrè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Plateau Department of south-eastern Benin. The commune covers an area of 550 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 81,497 people.-References:...
   
   
3. Kétou
4. Pobé
   Pobé
   Pobè is a city and arrondissement located in the Plateau Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 400 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 82,910 people....
   
   
5. Sakété
   Sakété
   Sakété is a city located in the Plateau Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 432 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 70,604 people....
   
   

Zou

Zou Department

Zou is one of the twelve departments of Benin.Zou is divided into the communes of Abomey, Agbangnizoun, Bohicon, Cové, Djidja, Ouinhi, Za-Kpota, Zangnanado, and Zogbodomey....

 

1. Abomey
   Abomey
   When UNESCO designated the royal palaces of Abomey as a World Heritage Site in 1985 it statedFrom 1993, 50 of the 56 bas-reliefs that formerly decorated the walls of King Glèlè have been located and replaced on the rebuilt structure...
   
   
2. Agbangnizoun
   Agbangnizoun
   Agbangnizoun is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The town lies 20 kilometres south-east of Abomey. The commune covers an area of 244 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 55,001 people....
   
   
3. Bohicon
   Bohicon
   Bohicon is a city in Benin, and a conurbation of Abomey lying 9 kilometres east of the city on the railway line from Cotonou to Parakou and on Benin’s main highway RNIE 2 which joins the RNIE 4. The commune covers an area of 139 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 113,091...
   
   
4. Cové
   Cové
   Cové is a city located in the Zou Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 525 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 34,442 people.-Geography:...
   
   
5. Djidja
   Djidja
   Djidja is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 2184 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 84,590 people.-Geography:...
   
   
6. Ouinhi
   Ouinhi
   Ouinhi is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 483 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 38,319 people....
   
   
7. Za-Kpota
   Za-Kpota
   Za-Kpota or Zakpota is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. It is located 153 kilometres north of Cotonou and 33 kilometres east of Abomey .-History:...
   
   
8. Zangnanado
   Zangnanado
   Zagnanado or Zangnanado is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of southern-central Benin. It is located 47 kilometres from Abomey and 165 kilometres north of Cotonou...
   
   
9. Zogbodomey
   Zogbodomey
   Zogbodomey or Zogbodomè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 600 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 72,338 people.-Administrative divisions:...
   
   

Sources

• http://www.ambassade-benin.org/article20.html (French)