title: Subdivisions of Benin
text: # Subdivisions of Benin
  
  Benin is divided into 12 departments (French: départements), and subdivided into 77 communes.
  
  On the third level are the arrondissements of Benin.
  
  ## Departments
  
  In 1999, the previous six departments were each split into two halves, forming the current 12. The six new departments were assigned official capitals in 2008.
  
  | Department | Capital | Population (2013) | Area $(km^2)$ |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Alibori | Kandi | 868,046 | 26,242 |
  | Atakora | Natitingou | 769,337 | 20,499 |
  | Atlantique | Ouidah | 1,396,548 | 3,233 |
  | Borgou | Parakou | 1,202,095 | 25,856 |
  | Collines | Savalou | 716,558 | 13,931 |
  | Kuoffo | Dogbo-Tota | 741,895 | 2,404 |
  | Donga | Djougou | 542,605 | 11,126 |
  | Littoral | Cotonou | 678,874 | 79 |
  | Mono | Lokossa | 495,307 | 1,605 |
  | Ouémé | Porto-Novo | 1,096,850 | 1,281 |
  | Plateau | Sakete | 624,146 | 3,264 |
  | Zou | Abomey | 851,623 | 5,243 |
  