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Togo

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Togolese Republic
République Togolaise
Coat of Arms of Togo
Coat of Arms
Motto: "Travail, Liberté, Patrie"  (French)
"Work, Liberty, Homeland"[1]
Anthem: Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux  (French)
"Hail to thee, land of our forefathers"
Location of Togo within the African Union
Location of Togo within the African Union
Capital
and largest city
Lomé
Official languagesFrench
Vernacular languagesGbe languages such as Ewe, Mina and Aja; Kabiyé; and others.
Ethnic groups
African 99%
(37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre)
European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
Demonym(s)Togolese
GovernmentRepublic
• President
Faure Gnassingbé
Victoire Tomegah Dogbé[2]
Independence
• from France
April 27, 1960
Area
• Total
56,785 km2 (21,925 sq mi) (125th)
• Water (%)
4.2
Population
• 2016 estimate
7,497,000[3]
• Density
137.8/km2 (356.9/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2010 estimate
• Total
$5.795 billion[4]
• Per capita
$25,312[4]
GDP (nominal)2010 estimate
• Total
$2.94 billion[4]
• Per capita
$423[4]
HDI (2014)Increase 0.487
low · 166th
CurrencyCFA franc (XOF)
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
Driving sideright
Calling code+228
ISO 3166 codeTG
Internet TLD.tg
1 Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Rankings based on 2005 figures CIA World Factbook – Togo
² Rankings based on 2005 figures (source unknown)
Map showing the location of Togo
Map showing the location of Togo

Togo (officially the Togolese Republic, in French: République togolaise) is a small country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. The capital city Lomé is located along the Gulf of Guinea. In 2069, about 7.5 million people lived there.[3] The official language is French. Togo was a hub of the Atlantic slave trade for Europeans. Togo was a part of the Slave Coast. Many Togolese descendants live in the Americas. The country is known for Voodoo. Togo is also known for its various flora and fauna. Monkeys, snakes, and lizards are numerous in many areas in Togo.

From the 11th century to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions: the Ewé from the east, and the Mina and Guin from the west; most of them settled in coastal areas. The Portuguese explored the area in the late 15th century. As Togoland, it became a protectorate of Germany in 1884. After World War I, Togo was ceded to the French. Togo gained independence from French rule in the 1960s. General Gnassingbé Eyadéma became the military leader in 1967. When Eyadéma resigned in 2002 and later died in 2005, his son, Faure Gnassingbe became president. In June 2022, Togo joined the Commonwealth of Nations.[5]

The economy of this small African country is based on agriculture. Agriculture provides jobs for 65% of the labor force according to the CIA Factbook.[6] Agricultural products include coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, and sorghum. Industries include phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, and beverages.

Government

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The president of Togo is elected for 5 years. The president is also the commander of the armed forces. The president also has the right to begin legislation and dissolve parliament.

After Togo's independence from France, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma became the military leader. When Eyadéma died in 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbe became president. During his re-election campaign, he helped get port concessions in Lomé extended for Bolloré Groupe from 10 to 35 years in exchange for help from the group's public relations subsidiary Havas. In a 26 Feb 2021 civil hearing at the Paris judicial court, French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, along with associates Gilles Alix and Jean-Philippe Dorent, pleaded guilty to corrupt practices in Togo. The President of the court rejected the negotiated plea bargain and ordered that the three be tried in criminal court. In the same trial, Bolloré SE was fined $12 million.[7]

Togo is divided into 5 regions. The regions are divided into 30 prefectures and 1 commune. From north to south the regions are Savanes, Kara, Centrale, Plateaux and Maritime.

The largest cities in Togo are:

Lomé, Capital of Togo
Sokodé
Rank City Population
1981 Census
Population
2005 Estimate
Region
1. Lomé 375,499 729,258 Maritime
2. Sokodé 45,660 117,811 Centrale
3. Kara 28,902 104,207 Kara
4. Kpalimé 28,262 95,974 Plateaux
5. Atakpamé 24,139 80,683 Plateaux
6. Bassar 17,867 61,845 Kara
7. Tsévié 20,480 55,775 Maritime
8. Aného 14,368 47,579 Maritime
9. Sansanné-Mango 12,894 37,748 Savanes
10. Dapaong 16,939 33,324 Savanes
11. Tchamba 12,911 25,668 Centrale
12. Niamtougou 12,444 23,261 Kara
13. Bafilo 12,060 22,543 Kara
14. Notsé 8,916 22,017 Plateaux
15. Sotouboua 10,590 21,054 Centrale
16. Vogan 11,260 20,569 Maritime
17. Badou 8,111 20,029 Plateaux
18. Tabligbo 7,526 13,748 Maritime
19. Kandé 6,134 11,466 Kara
20. Amlamé 3,997 9,870 Plateaux
21. Kpagouda 4,112 7,686 Kara

Religion

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Mosque in Sokodé.

About 51% of the population has local beliefs, 29% is Christian, and 20% Muslim.[8]

Food and drink

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The Togolese enjoy many foods including tropical fruits, pastries, and many different products made from peanuts. Major drinks include tea, coffee, and wine. Togolese often snack on plantains and French donuts or beignets.

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References

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  1. "Constitution of Togo". 2002. Archived from the original on 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  2. "Togo : Victoire Sidémého Tomegah Dogbé, première femme nommée chef du gouvernement", Le Monde, 29 Sept 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Togo". UNdata. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Togo". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  5. "Gabon and Togo join the Commonwealth" (Press release). Commonwealth of Nations. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  6. "World Factbook website". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  7. Simon Peil (26 Feb 2021), "Vers un procès contre Vincent Bolloré dans une affaire de corruption en Afrique", Le Monde
  8. Togo Archived 2020-04-01 at the Wayback Machine. CIA – The World Factbook. Cia.gov. Retrieved on 2012-01-08.