Couffo

Geography

Couffo Department borders Zou Department to the north, Atlantique Department to the east, Mono Department to the south, and Togo to the west. The department is characterised by plateaus ranging from 20 to 200 m (66 to 656 ft) above the mean sea level, which are split by valleys running from north to south created by the Sahoua River and Couffo River. Couffo river plateaus contains quaternary, tertiary and cretaceous sediments formed with a crystalline basement complex. The layers of sediments have clay-like soil and accumulated iron oxide beneath them. 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 1,200 mm (47 in).