TOGO

Gnassingbe Eyadéma
President

(pronounced "nyah-SING-bay ey-YAH-deh-mah")

"The tenets of my new five-year term will be maturity, peace, security, reconciliation, and forgiveness."

The Togolese Republic is a West African country whose political culture reflects its colonial history and the economic roller coaster of post-independence Africa. Situated along a narrow north-south axis, Togo stretches across several ecological zones. It includes 50 km (31 mi) of Atlantic coastline on the Gulf of Benin, a zone of tropical rain forest, and a northern region comprised of semi-arid savannah. Ghana borders Togo to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Benin to the east. Its total area is 56,786 sq km (21,925 sq mi)—roughly the size of West Virginia.

The population was estimated in 2002 at 5.2 million— though census figures are complicated by the large number of Togolese living in neighboring countries. The capital city of Lomé has a population of approximately 800,000.

Togo's population parallels the diversity of its landscape, with some 40 ethno-linguistic groups. The largest group, the Ewe, make up some 40% of the population and reside primarily in the south. The next largest group, the Kabye, represent some 25% of the population and live primarily in the north, though many have migrated south in search of work. Other ethnic groups include the Mina, Cotocoli, and Moba. There are significant numbers of Christians (mostly in the south) and Muslims (in the north) though a majority of the population practice indigenous religions, often blended with elements of Christianity and Islam. The official language is French, used for government, business, and in the schools. Many other languages, such as Ewe and Kabye, are used in daily life.

Togo's economy is largely agricultural, with over 60% of the labor force involved in growing food and export crops (of which cotton and cocoa are the most important). Calcium phosphate and marble are the principal non-agricultural exports. The per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at US $1,500 (2001 estimate). The currency is the Communauté Financière Africaine (CFA) franc , which is shared with most other former French colonies in Africa.