La gazelle 71 | Page 128

I évasion voyage dans le temps I fly away journey through time I ‫الزمـن‬ ‫عبـر‬ ‫رحلـة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ل‬ ّ ‫لنتحـ‬ I évasion voyage dans le temps I fly away journey through time I ‫الزمـن‬ ‫عبـر‬ ‫رحلـة‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ل‬ ّ ‫لنتحـ‬ 1 Discovering Cotonou! Since last December, TUNISAIR has set the course for Cotonou. Economic capital of Benin, it is also the largest city of this West African country. A heterogeneous city, steeped in culture, full of investment opportunities that will delight the tourist in search of surprises and new sensations. 130 Cotonou: a motley city Cotonou is Benin’s economic capital, but it is also home to most ministries and diplomatic departments. It likewise contains most of the country’s industries as well as the main companies and Benin banks. Due to its economic importance, Cotonou is a heterogeneous city where representatives of several neighbouring nationalities and nearly a dozen different ethnic groups mingle. Its markets and its gastronomy with its rich and varied menus are the best proof. Cotonou is also a real crossroads for West African trade thanks to a road network connecting it to the different neighbouring countries namely Nigeria, Togo, Niger and Burkina Faso. Although Cotonou has a large bus network, it is preferable for visitors to get zemidjans, local mototaxis that are so successful for both locals and tourists. The zemidjan literally means “take me quickly” in Fon (language of Southern Benin, a worth v