Parakou

Parakou
City and commune
Central Parakou, 2019
Parakou Location in Benin
Coordinates: 9°21′N 2°37′E / 9.350°N 2.617°E / 9.350; 2.617
Country	Benin
Department	Borgou Department
Area
• Total	441 km2 (170 sq mi)
Elevation	324 m (1,063 ft)
Population  (2012)[1]
• Total	206,667
• Density	470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)

Parakou [pa.ʁa.ku] is the largest city in northern Benin, and the third-largest city in the country, with an estimated population of around 206,667 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. Administratively the commune of Parakou makes up one of Benin's 77 communes. Since 2015, its mayor is Souradjou Adamou Karimou.^{[citation needed]}