Physical Map of Benin with Coastal Plains, Plateaus and Rivers

Benin Facts and Country Information...

Benin is a country located in West Africa. The country sits between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. The country lies between north latitude 6.30 and 12.30 degrees and east longitude 1 and 3.40 degrees. The total area covered by the country is 112622 square kilometres. The country is bordered by the Bight of Benin in the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

The country can be separated in to 4 parts: the low lying coastal area, southern plateaus, flatlands and Atacora Mountain Range. The coastal area is an area with an average height of 10 metres above sea level and is full of lakes and lagoons.
The southern plateaus are cut by the valleys formed by the major rivers: Zou, Couffo and Oueme.

The flat lands consist of dry plains and a few rolling hills. The Atacora Mountain Range sits near the northwest border of the country and also has the highest peak of the country known as Mont Sokbaro which is 658 metres tall. The lowest point however sits in the south under the Atlantic Ocean.

The longest river crossing the country is the Niger as it empties itself into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the third longest river in the continent and flows along for 4180 kilometres.