Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Cotonou

Cotonou

1 8.0
The main port and largest city of Benin on the Gulf of Benin in West Africa
  • proper noun
: Cotonou
  • Following the idea of "return," on National Vodun Day 1999, Hounongon Joseph Guendehou of Cotonou held a special Vodun ceremony at his house, inviting a delegation of visitors from Haiti, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
  • Cotonou, Benin

Examples

  • Near Cotonou, Benin, January 1999. Photo: Dana Rush. 20. Painter's studio featuring images of Shiva and Jesus for advertisement purposes.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Cotonou serves as a major port for trade and commerce in the region.

  • He continued on to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for another successful sale, this one at the Canadian Cultural Center.

    Academic text (2006)

  • ARC Africa Rice Center. 2008. Africa Rice Trends 2007. Cotonou, Benin: Africa Rice Center (WARDA).

    Academic text (2009)

  • Cotonou is the chief port and largest city of Benin, located on the Bight of Benin in West Africa.

  • The bustling markets in Cotonou attract many visitors each year.

Surface Forms

Cotonou main

Etymology

Cotonou is the name of Benin's largest port city. One common story says the name comes from a local word Kotonu meaning 'by the river' or 'river mouth', which fits because Cotonou grew at the water's edge as an important port.