Benin - West Africa - page 119

ation about her career. Other well-known Beninese artists include Gnonnas Pedro, Nel
Oliver and Yelouassi Adolphe, and the bands Orchestre Poly-Rythmo and Disc Afrique.
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Food & Drink
Beninese grub is unquestionably among the best in West Africa and is very similar to To-
golese food, the main differences being the names: fufu is generally called igname pilé,
and djenkoumé is called pâte rouge, for example. In southern Benin, fish is a highlight of
local cuisine. It's usually barracuda, dorado or grouper, and is usually served grilled or
fried.
The local beer, La Béninoise, is a passable drop. Mineral water and fruit juices are sold
in all major towns. The adventurous could try the millet-based brew tchoukoutou or
sodabe (moonshine).
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Environment
Sandwiched between Nigeria and Togo, Benin is 700km long and 120km across in the
south, widening to about 300km in the north. Most of the coastal plain is a sand bar that
blocks the seaward flow of several rivers. As a result, there are lagoons a few kilometres
inland all along the coast, which is being eroded by the strong ocean currents. Inland is a
densely forested plateau and, in the far northwest, the Atakora Mountains.
Wildlife thrives in Parc National de la Pendjari, with elephants and several feline spe-
cies.
Deforestation and desertification are major issues because of the logging of valuable
wood, such as teak.