Benin | World Heritage Explorer

Benin has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1982. It is home to 3 World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. Some of these properties are shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Benin as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 14, 1982

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1995-2001, 2003-2007

Total of Mandate Years: 10

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Benin (3)

Cultural: 2 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba · Cultural (Transboundary)
Royal Palaces of Abomey · Cultural
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex · Natural (Transboundary)

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Benin.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (5)

Sites marquants de la Route de l’Esclave au Bénin · submitted: February 24, 2021
Basse vallée de l’Ouémé · submitted: June 16, 2020
Village souterrain d'Agongointo-Zoungoudo · submitted: June 19, 1998
La ville de Porto-Novo : quartiers anciens et Palais Royal · submitted: October 31, 1996
La Réserve W du Niger et l'habitat vernaculaire du nord Bénin · submitted: October 31, 1996

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Benin

Official Name: Republic of Benin

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Western Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Porto-Novo

Population (2024): 14,462,724

Land Area: 112,760 km²

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Country Data Sources

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UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Benin

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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