Formerly known as Dahomey, the Republic of Benin is a country in West Africa. It is bordered to the west by Togo, to the east by Nigeria, to the north-west by Burkina Faso, and to the north-east by Niger. The majority of its population resides on the southern coast of the Bight of Benin, which is part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical region of the Atlantic Ocean. Porto-Novo is the capital, while Cotonou, the most populated city and economic centre, is the seat of government. Benin is a tiny tropical nation. It is one of the least developed countries, with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, and it exports palm oil and cotton. Subsistence agriculture generates employment and income.