Kpomassè
Kpomassè is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Atlantique Department of southern Benin. The commune covers an area of 305 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 57,190 people.
Kpomassè, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy.
Geography
Kpomassè lies west of Ouidah and south of Allada in the Atlantique Department. The commune’s western side borders Lake Ahémé and related channels, which directly shape settlement patterns and livelihoods in several arrondissements.The local environment features low relief on the Sakété plateau with weakly ferralitic soils, natural palm groves and wooded savanna; small rivers and marshes drain into the lagoonal complex connected to Lake Ahémé.
Climate
The climate is sub-tropical with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons; average annual rainfall typically ranges between ~900 and 1,100 mm in the department.Administration
Kpomassè is one of eight communes that constitute the Atlantique Department.It is subdivided into nine arrondissements, with local government headquartered in Kpomassè-Centre. Administrative sources list 76 villages and urban districts under the commune’s jurisdiction.
Demographics
The 2013 census counted 67,648 residents in the commune. Religious affiliation is diverse; ANCB reporting indicates the presence of traditional religions, including Vodoun Christianity and Islam, with traditional practices historically representing a substantial share of the population.Economy
The economy is largely informal and oriented toward fishing, fish farming, market gardening and oil-palm related activities, with trading and transport services along the lagoonal routes. The proximity to Lake Ahémé underpins artisanal fisheries and aquaculture; regional studies describe a diversity of gears and highlight regulatory issues around lagoon fisheries.Department-level labour statistics also show high informal-sector participation in Atlantique.