Togo

Officially the Togolese Republic, Togo is an interesting nation in West Africa. To the west, it is bordered by Ghana; to the east by Benin; to the north by Burkina Faso. Togo, with its rather small population, presents a rich tapestry of biodiversity, history, and culture. From its busy capital, Lomé, the nation stretches south to the Gulf of Guinea. Togo, which covers about 57,000 square kilometers (22,000 square miles), is home to about 8 million people. Its small width, less than 115 kilometers (71 miles) between Ghana and Benin, betrays the variety and complexity within its borders.

The movements and colonies of many ethnic groups between the 11th and the 16th centuries define Togo’s past. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal part of Togo developed into a major European slave trading outpost, earning the bleak name “The Slave Coast.” Part of a protectorate called Togoland, the area came under German rule in 1884. But once Germany lost World War I, France gained authority over Togo. With its freedom from France in 1960, Togo entered a new chapter for itself.

1967 saw major political changes in Togo when Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a successful military coup, establishing himself as the president of a single-party, anti-communist state. Eyadéma kept control despite multiparty elections in 1993 under claims of electoral anomalies, acting as president until his death in 2005. Having led for 38 years, he was then acknowledged as the longest-serving leader in modern African history. Following in his footsteps politically, his son Faure Gnassingbé succeeded him as president.

Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan country with quite a different terrain from north to south. Rolling savannas define the northern portion of the nation; hills define the central area. Togo’s southern section consists of a savanna and woodland plateau falling into a coastal plain with lagoons and marshes. Mont Agou, at 986 meters (3,235 feet) above sea level, is the highest point in the nation; the Mono River, Togo’s longest river, runs 400 kilometers (250 miles) from north to south.

Togo’s climate is generally tropical; on the coast, temperatures average 23°C (73°F), and in the northern areas, they rise to roughly 30°C (86°F). Typically of a tropical savanna, the northern regions have a drier climate.

Three terrestrial ecoregions: Eastern Guinean forests, Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, and West Sudanian savanna define Togo’s rich and varied natural surroundings. Marshes and mangroves define the coastal regions and offer special homes for many different kinds of species. With a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.88/10, Togo ranked 92nd worldwide among 172 countries.

Togo has set numerous parks and reserves including the Abdoulaye Faunal Reserve, Fazao Malfakassa National Park, Fosse aux Lions National Park, Koutammakou, and Kéran National Park in order to protect its natural legacy. These protected areas provide chances for ecotourism and are quite important for the preservation of the national biodiversity.

With so many people working in agriculture, Togo’s economy mostly relies on this sector. The rich soils of the nation help to support the growing of crops including cotton, cocoa, and coffee, which are essential for both domestic use and export.

Reflecting Togo’s colonial past, French is the official language of the country; yet, the country boasts a great variety of languages, especially those of the Gbe family. With 47.8% of Togo’s population following Christianity, together with other traditional and Islamic beliefs, it is the most often practiced religion there.

Among the several international groups, Togo actively participates in are the United Nations, African Union, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, Francophonie, Commonwealth, and Economic Community of West African States. These affiliations capture Togo’s dedication to global cooperation and development.