Abomey-Calavi

Abomey-Calavi is a city, arrondissement, and commune located in the Atlantique Department of Benin. It is now essentially a suburb of Cotonou and at its closest it begins approximately 18 km from the city centre of Cotonou. The main cities of the commune are Abomey-Calavi itself and Godomey to the south. The commune covers an area of 650 square kilometres and as at the May 2013 Census had a population of 655,965 people.[1]

Not to be confused with Abomey.
Abomey-Calavi
Commune and city
Abomey-Calavi
Abomey-Calavi
Location of Abomey-Calavi in Benin
Coordinates: 6°26′55″N 2°21′20″E
Country Benin
DepartmentAtlantique Department
Area
 • Total650 km2 (250 sq mi)
Elevation
54 m (177 ft)
Population
 (2013 Census)
 • Total655,965
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)

History

The history of Abomey-Calavi is linked to that of Abomey and the Kingdom of Dahomey[2] Abomey-Calavi was founded to be near Cotonou, in order to facilitate trade.[3]

Education

Its principal university is the University of Abomey-Calavi, founded in 1970.[4]

Places of worship

Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Christian churches and temples : Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou (Catholic Church), Protestant Methodist Church in Benin (World Methodist Council), Baptist Church of Benin (Baptist World Alliance), Living Faith Church Worldwide, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Assemblies of God.[5] There are also Muslim mosques.. The town is also a noted centre of Voodoo, and contains a large fetish market.[6]

Economy

The inhabitants of the commune of Abomey-Calavi carry out several activities in different sectors such as agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, trade, crafts, transport, fuelwood exploitation, transformation of products.[7]

References
  1. L’Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Economique (INSAE), Benin, 2013.
  2. Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2013, p. 20
  3. Mairie d'Abomey-Calavi, Liste des responsables de la commune, mairie-abomey-calavi.bj, Benin, Retrieved September 15, 2018
  4. Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2013, p. 151
  5. J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 338
  6. Butler, Stuart (2019) Bradt Travel Guide - Benin, pgs. 93-4
  7. Chabi Félix Biaou, Monographie de la commune d'Abomey-Calavi, Afrique Conseil, Benin, march 2006, p. 14-21

Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at fr: Abomey-Calavi; see its history for attribution.


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