Yoruba country was a West African ethno-region located within the continent of Africa which was first introduced to the Western world in text in the 19th century through the writings of visitors who documented their voyages through West Africa, particularly through those who visited the region geographically bounded by the Volta river to its west and bounded by the Benin river on its eastern edge and inhabited by the Yoruba people.

[4] The area at the end of the 19th century bordered Bariba Country to the north, French Porto-Novo to the west.

[5] British explorer Alvan Milson under the Royal Geographical Society writes of the people within the region that they are self-sufficient people not requiring trade with the West and instead gain their resources from the north and east of their region, also engaging in trade from the Sahara.

[6] The Yoruba of the region are said to be a "peace-loving race, fairly industrious and who prefer working on farms and attending markets more than war".

Modern facilities have reached the area, with regular weekly mail service by steam-launch between Lagos and Porto-Novo.