town located in northeastern Benin, 325 miles (523 km) north of Porto-Novo, the capital. Iron deposits of high quality are in the vicinity, but the town is mainly an agricultural centre, with the major products being cotton, kapok, shea nuts, peanuts (groundnuts), corn (maize), and millet. There is cotton and kapok ginning. The town is situated on a principal highway and also has an airport. Pop. (2002) 27,227.