• Officially named the "Togolese Republic," Togo is a long and narrow country in western Africa that has been independent from France since 1960. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
    1. Capital: Lome
    2. Government: Republic
    3. President: Faure Gnassingbe
    4. Prime minister: Komlan Mally
    5. Population: Approx. 6,600,000 (2007)
    6. Population composed of approx. 21 ethnic groups
    7. Currency: CFA franc (XOF)
    8. Exchange rate: 1 CFA franc BCEAO = 0.002208 U.S. dollar
    9. Main economic activity: Agriculture
    10. Major exports: Coffee, cocoa, cotton
    11. Official language: French
    12. Life expectancy: 51 yrs (male); 55 yrs (female) (2003)
  • Trouble in Togo

    In 2005, President Gnassingbe Eyadema died and his son was installed as his successor by the country's military. This cast widespread doubt as to Togo's commitment to bringing about a democracy, even after Faure Gnassingbe stepped down so that elections could be held. He won those elections amid much skepticism as to their validity. 500 people were killed in the unrest following the elections, from which the Togolese population continues to recover.

Categories

Geography  |  Travel  |  Countries