Lake Nokoué

Lake Nokoué is a shallow lagoon-like lake on the southern coast of Benin in the Atlantique Department, close to the cities of Cotonou and Porto-Novo. It forms part of the coastal lagoon system where the Ouémé River meets the Atlantic.

The lake is best known for the large stilt village of Ganvié, where houses and markets stand over the water; boat transport is the primary means of getting around the settlement. The lake also supports local fishing and aquaculture that sustain surrounding communities.

Human occupation and fishing have shaped the lake’s use for centuries, with the stilt villages established as permanent waterborne communities in the region. Over time the area around the lake has become more connected to the coastal road network and urban centers.

Geographically the lake lies between the coastal barrier of the Atlantic and the low-lying coastal plain of southern Benin, with easy boat access from the nearby urban centers of Cotonou and Porto-Novo.

• Ganvié village: The stilt village of Ganvié sits on the lake and is one of West Africa's best-known waterborne settlements.
• Location and hydrology: Close to coastal cities Cotonou and Porto-Novo, the lake is influenced by tidal and river inputs from the Ouémé watershed.