Prior to the 15th century, Benin was mostly settled by smaller tribes. However, in the 15th century the African kingdom of Danhomey rose up. When the Europeans arrived in the 18th Century Danhomey was still growing. They traded with the Frendh, the Dutch, and the Portuguese. Danhomey was a war based kingdom where their captives were either put to death or traded to the Europeans as slaves in exchange for weapons.
Later, in the early 1900's Benin became a French colony. In 1958 it became self-governing within the French community and was called the Republique du Dahomey. A few years later, in 1960, it became a fully independent country called the Republic of Benin.
The Geography of Benin
Total Size: 112,620 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
