Togo |
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Togo lies in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
Land Boundaries:
Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, and Ghana 877 km.
Geography:
Togo is 54,385 sq km , slightly smaller than West Virginia, US. Togo's terrain consists of a gently rolling savanna in the north; hilly in the center; plateau in the south and a low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes. Togo's climate is tropical; hot and humid in the south and semiarid in the north Togo's lowest point is at the Atlantic Ocean (sea level); its highest point is Mont Agou which stands at 986 m . The length of Togo allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions where the climate varies from tropical to savanna.
Population:
5.5 million people live in Togo. Life expectancy is around 57 years. Birth rate is on average 5 children per woman. Literacy rate is just over 60%.
Languages:
French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north).
Ethnic Groups:
99% of Togo is Native African with over 37 different tribes. The largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre. European and Syrian-Lebanese make up less than 1% of the population.
Religion:
Indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, and Muslim 20%.
Political History:
French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe Eyadema, installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the 21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated by President Eyadema, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen, the EU initiated a partial resumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004 based upon commitments by Togo to expand opportunities for political opposition and liberalize portions of the economy. Upon his death in February 2005, President Eyadema was succeeded by his son Faure Gnassingbe. The succession, supported by the military and in contravention of the nation's constitution, was challenged by popular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders. Gnassingbe succumbed to pressure and agreed to hold elections in late April 2005 which legitimized his succession.
Economic Overview:
This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on follow-through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a PRGF that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan.
Source: CIA World Factbook
Further Reading:
Togo in the World Cup 2006
Africa Vacation Planner
How to Get a Cheap Flight to Africa
Ghana Travel Guide
Senegal Travel Guide
