Formerly known as Dahomey, Benin is a West African country bordered by Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. The country is considered to be one of the most stable democracies in Africa; however, the economic situation for the country's 9.2 million (2010) people is not as positive due to high underdevelopment. The country's official language is French, and the capital is Cotonou, a city located on Benin's Atlantic coastline.