Vodun Originated in the Region That Is Now Benin

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.

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

The country took the name Benin under its Marxist government, after the Bight of Benin, though the name has no link to the ancient Benin Kingdom.