Los Palacios Reales de Abomey son Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO

Government institutions are split between the two, and Cotonou remains the main economic center.

A national conference that year ended one-party Marxist rule, and Benin became one of the first African countries to hold multiparty elections.

The religion is practiced by millions and is officially recognized in Benin, which celebrates a national Vodun Day each January 10.

Then called Dahomey, the country became independent on August 1, 1960.