Bohicon [bɔ.i.kɔ̃] or Gbɔ̀xikɔn [gbɔ.i.kɔ̃] is a city in Benin, and a conurbation of Abomey lying 9 kilometres east of the city on the railway line from Cotonou to Parakou and on Benin's main highway RNIE 2 which joins the RNIE 4. The commune covers an area of 139 square kilometres and as of 2012 had a population of 149,271 people.[1][2]

Bohicon
Gbɔ̀xikɔn
Road leading into Bohicon from the south
Road leading into Bohicon from the south
Bohicon is located in Benin
Bohicon
Bohicon
Location in Benin
Coordinates: 7°12′N 2°04′E / 7.200°N 2.067°E / 7.200; 2.067
Country Benin
DepartmentZou Department
Area
 • Total44 km2 (17 sq mi)
Elevation
167 m (548 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total149,271
 • Density3,400/km2 (8,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
Bohicon traders of textiles such as cushions and matresses
Mosque and Mission Jama'at Islamic Ahmadiyya in Bohicon

A speciality sold in the market is afitin (soy dawa-dawa/soy iru), which is traditionally and somewhat famously in Benin made by women in the region. It is a protein-rich fermented food widely used in West Africa as a seasoning.

Climate

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Bohicon has a rather dry tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with a lengthy though moderate wet season from March to October and a short dry season from November to February. The wet season divides into two periods: a hotter first half from March to June and a cooler, foggy second half somewhat influenced by the northern extension of the Benguela Current.

Climate data for Bohicon (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 35.0
(95.0)
36.4
(97.5)
35.6
(96.1)
34.3
(93.7)
32.9
(91.2)
31.3
(88.3)
29.9
(85.8)
29.4
(84.9)
30.6
(87.1)
32.0
(89.6)
34.1
(93.4)
34.8
(94.6)
33.0
(91.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2)
30.5
(86.9)
30.2
(86.4)
29.4
(84.9)
28.4
(83.1)
27.3
(81.1)
26.3
(79.3)
25.8
(78.4)
26.6
(79.9)
27.5
(81.5)
28.9
(84.0)
29.1
(84.4)
28.2
(82.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.1
(73.6)
24.5
(76.1)
24.8
(76.6)
24.5
(76.1)
24.0
(75.2)
23.2
(73.8)
22.6
(72.7)
22.2
(72.0)
22.6
(72.7)
23.0
(73.4)
23.8
(74.8)
23.4
(74.1)
23.5
(74.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7.9
(0.31)
34.4
(1.35)
80.3
(3.16)
118.8
(4.68)
138.4
(5.45)
153.1
(6.03)
160.8
(6.33)
102.0
(4.02)
161.8
(6.37)
126.3
(4.97)
29.7
(1.17)
9.6
(0.38)
1,123
(44.21)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 1 3 6 9 11 12 11 10 14 12 3 1 93
Average relative humidity (%) 61.8 64.8 70.3 75.1 78.6 80.7 82.2 82.3 81.3 79.3 73.1 67.2 74.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 192.0 191.0 206.8 204.6 208.3 160.7 124.5 99.3 128.9 199.1 237.3 226.9 2,179.4
Source: NOAA[3]

Administration

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Bohicon Railway Station

Bohicon is one of the 77 official Communes of Benin. The city is located 9 kilometres from Abomey but the commune is divided into arrondissements:

Notable landmarks

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Lycée Technique de Bohicon
  • Lycée Technique de Bohicon (LYTEB)
  • Collège Monseigneur Steinmetz
  • Bohicon Railway Station
  • Parc Archeologique d'Agongointo
 
Entrance to the Parc Archéologique d'Agongointo

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Bohicon". Atlas Monographique des Communes du Bénin. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  2. ^ "Communes of Benin". Statoids. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  3. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Bohicon". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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Globalisation evident in Bohicon with heavy Coca-Cola advertising

07°12′00″N 02°04′00″E / 7.20000°N 2.06667°E / 7.20000; 2.06667