a kingdom of West Africa on the coast of Guinea, now a French colony, having a total area of about 58,000 sq. mi. Dahomey, though generally level, has several mountain ranges and hilly regions. There are many springs, but no rivers of any great size. The country in general is fertile and well cultivated, the chief crops being India rubber, yams and the manioc root, which forms a principal article of food. Palm oil, shea butter and cotton are other products. Among the trees are the baobab and various kinds of fruit trees, including the tamarind, yellow fig, kola and cocoanut. The inhabitants are mostly Guinea negroes, who are pagans. They worship fetishes, and human sacrifices were formerly very common. The capital of the colony has been changed from Abomey to Porto Novo. Other towns are Kotonu, which is the chief port, Grand Popo, Agoue, Say and Allada. A railroad is being constructed inland from Kotonu. In 1892 the French obtained possession of Dahomey, took the stronghold of Abomey, deposed the king and established a French protectorate. Since that time the French have extended their authority over the land to the north. Population, estimated at 1,000,000.