Parakou
Sign in to saveParakou is the largest city in northern Benin, and the third-largest city in the country, with an estimated population of 206,667 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. Administratively, the commune of Parakou makes one of Benin's 77 communes.
AI overview
Parakou is the third-largest city in Benin and the most populous city in the country's northern region, with a population of about 206,667 people. As the capital of Borgou Department, it serves as an important administrative center for northern Benin.
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Key facts
- Settlement.name
- Parakou
- Settlement.settlement_type
- City and commune
- Settlement.image_skyline
- Place de la municipalité 10.jpg
- Settlement.image_caption
- Central Parakou, 2019
- Settlement.pushpin_map
- Benin
- Settlement.pushpin_label_position
- bottom
- Settlement.pushpin_mapsize
- 240
- Settlement.pushpin_map_caption
- Location in Benin
- Settlement.subdivision_type
- Country
- Settlement.subdivision_type1
- Department
- Settlement.subdivision_name1
- Borgou Department
- Settlement.leader_title1
- Mayor
Article
17 sectionsContents
- History
- Economy
- Markets
- Inland Port
- Demographics
- Climate
- Culture
- Administration
- Villages
- Education
- Places of worship
- Transport
- Sport
- Notable people
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
Parakou is the largest city in northern Benin, and the third-largest city in the country, with an estimated population of 206,667 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. Administratively, the commune of Parakou makes one of Benin's 77 communes.
== History == The city was founded in the 16th century by traders. In the 18th century Parakou, like much of the surrounding region, came under the rule of princes from Nikki. The defeat of the Nikki-led invasion of Ilorin in 1837 and death of its king gave Parakou and the other vassals an opportunity to seize more control over trade and increase their political independence. The Anglo-French Convention of 1898 divided the Borgu federation in two. Parakou became the main administrative center of the half that was joined to French Dahomey.