port city and de facto capital of Benin, situated along the Gulf of Guinea. Originally part of the Dahomey Kingdom, 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 serve both Benin and the neighbouring country of Togo.

Cotonou is the economic hub of Benin and is the country'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. (2004 est.) 818,100.