Abomey, Benin

Capital City

Living costs may be low, but expats face serious infrastructure challenges in this historic West African royal seat. A mere 142 square kilometers houses 117,824 residents in what was once the mighty capital of the Dahomey Kingdom.

The city's main draw remains its UNESCO-listed Royal Palaces complex - a partially restored collection of earthen structures that once sprawled across 44 hectares behind 10-meter walls. Only two of the original twelve palaces survived when the last king torched the city in 1892 to spite advancing French forces. The bas-reliefs depicting Fon history have been largely restored, though fires and tornados continue threatening these fragile structures.

Modern Abomey has ceded much administrative importance to neighboring Bohicon, though traditional crafts and palace tourism sustain part of the economy. Infrastructure remains basic and the city faces ongoing preservation challenges with its heritage sites. For Americans considering relocation, French language skills are essential and modern amenities are limited.