Benin, in West Africa, is a narrow, north-south strip of land known for its historical voodoo practices, which are still part of the cultural fabric. Once the site of the Dahomey Kingdom, famous for its Amazon warriors, Benin now embraces democracy. Cotonou, the largest city, serves as the economic center rather than the official capital, Porto-Novo. Agriculture, particularly cotton production, dominates the economy, but there's also growing interest in tourism due to Benin's rich history and cultural heritage.