Atlantique Department

Atlantique (, "Atlantic") is one of the twelve departments in Benin. The department is located in south-central Benin along the Atlantic coast, between Mono and Kouffo Department in the west, Zou in the north, and Ouémé in the east. The department of Atlantique was bifurcated in 1999 when some of its territories was transferred to the newly formed Littoral Department. , the total population of the department was 1,398,229, with 686,747 males and 711,482 females. The proportion of women was 50.90%. The total rural population was 55.50%, while the urban population was 44.50%. The total labour force in the department was 433,515, of which 43.40% were women. The proportion of households with no level of education was 39.20% and the proportion of households with children attending school was 77.30%. Geography Atlantique Department border Zou Department to the north, Ouémé Department to the east, Littoral Department to the south-east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Kouffo Department and Mono Department to the west. The coastal areas have interconnected lakes and lagoons and elongated coastlines with wide marshes; part of Lake Nokoué lies within the department. The southern regions of Benin receive two seasons of rainfall from March to July and September to November, while the northern regions of the country receive one season of rainfall from May to September. The country receives an average annual rainfall of around , but Atlantique Department receives less rainfall. The department has mostly low-lying sandy coastal plains towards the Atlantic Ocean, marshes, lagoons and lakes. The highest elevation in the department around the coastal plains is , compared to the country's average of above mean sea level.