Officially known as the Republic of Benin, this Western African country stretches 700km (435 miles) from the Bight of Benin to the Niger River. Previously known as Dahomey or Dahomania until 1975, Benin is bounded to the east by Nigeria, to the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, and to the west by Togo, with its short coastline to the south leading to the body of water known as the Bight of Benin (after which the country was renamed). The coastal strip is sandy with coconut palms, and beyond the lagoons of Porto Novo, Nokoue, Ouidah and Grand Popo is a plateau that rises gradually to the heights of the Atakora Mountains.