Two places, one name

The Kingdom of Benin grew in West Africa from around the 13th century. It was centred on Benin City, in what is now southern Nigeria, and was ruled by an oba, or king. The Edo people built a powerful kingdom and created celebrated works in bronze and brass, including plaques used to decorate the royal palace. British forces invaded Benin City in 1897 and took many artworks away. The kingdom was not the same place as the modern country called Benin. The Republic of Benin is a country in West Africa, west of Nigeria. It was formerly a French colony called Dahomey and became independent from France in 1960. In 1975, it adopted the name Benin. Porto-Novo is its official capital, while Cotonou is the largest city and an important centre of government and business. French is the official language, and many other languages are spoken. Both places have histories shaped by West African cultures, but they have different locations, governments and timelines.