Border history · 1895–2023

Benin borders over time

CShapes records 3 changes to the borders of Benin between 1895 and 2023. It has been independent since August 1, 1960. Its territory covers 116,189 km², more than the 36,223 km² it covered in 1895. The largest single change came on June 14, 1898, when it gained about 79,966 km².

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Border changes
3
Area today
116,189 km²
Largest change
+79,966 km² (1898)
Status
Independent since 1960
August 1, 1960 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Benin's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1895 – July 22, 1897

    36,223 km²First recorded versionRuled by FranceWorld map in 1895

  2. July 23, 1897 – June 13, 1898

    36,223 km²±0 km²Ruled by France

  3. June 14, 1898 – July 31, 1960

    116,189 km²+79,966 km²Ruled by FranceWorld map in 1898

  4. August 1, 1960 – present

    116,189 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1961

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Benin appears as a territory of France.
  2. Benin gains about 79,965 km² of territory.
  3. Benin becomes independent from France.