Togo (officially the Togolese Republic) is a country in West Africa bordering Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi) with a population of approximately 6.7 million.
Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent on agriculture, with a low climate providing good growing seasons. The official language is French; however, there are many other languages spoken in Togo. Approximately one half of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.
Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a successful military coup, after which he became president. Eyadéma was the longest-serving leader in African history (after being president for 38 years) at the time of his death in 2005. In 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbé was elected president.
West African countries. Pro Gulf of Guinea. Area 5 66 million square kilometers. Population 4.01 million (1994). The capital Lome. Strip of land north and south. More inland hills and highlands in the north to plains. Located in the tropics. Agriculture dominates the economy. Main exports of phosphate.
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