What is the longest river in Benin?
The Ouémé is Benin's longest river, stretching approximately 500 kilometers. This major waterway originates in the Atacora Range in the northwest and flows through the country from north to south.
The Ouémé, the main river of Benin
The Ouémé is the most important watercourse in Benin's territory. With its 500 kilometers in length, it far exceeds the other rivers in the country and constitutes the major hydrographic artery.
Geographic route
The river originates in the Atacora mountain range, in the northwest of Benin, in the Atacora department. It then crosses the country from north to south, draining a large part of the territory before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Nokoué and the Cotonou channel.
Economic and ecological importance
The Ouémé plays a crucial role for:
- Agriculture and land irrigation
- Traditional river fishing
- The transport of goods in certain areas
- The ecosystem of the wetlands in the south of the country