The
Togolese Republic was a former French colony. It is located in Western Africa
and is divided into five regions. It shares borders with Ghana, Burkina Faso,
and Benin. The most important regions are Maritime, Plateaux, and Savane. The
country is the 41st largest in Africa, with a surface area of 56,785 square
kilometers, making it one of the continent's smaller countries. The climate is
tropical hot and humid in the south, and semiarid in the north. The geography
consists of low coastal plains with marshes, central hills, and savanna to the
north. The aggregate population exceeds 8.0 million people. Lomé is the
country's capital and most populous city. Other notable cities in the country
include Sokodé, Kara, and Kpalimé. The largest airport is Lomé Tokoin
International Airport (LFW). It connects the country with locations in Africa,
Europe, and the United States. The Togolese Republic achieved independence from
France in 1960. Its culture is shaped by a combination of customs and French
The legal system is founded on customary law. The government is a presidential
republic, with President Faure Gnassingbe chosen as chief of state and Prime
Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbe as head of government. Every five years,
elections are held, and the president is elected by a simple popular vote. The
country's official currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), with a current
exchange rate of XOF 617.15 to the US dollar. Togo has an open economy with a
GDP of roughly $14.9 billion. This puts it Africa's 40th largest economy. It
has a per capita income of $1,821. Services, agriculture, and industry are the
three largest contributors to GDP. Togo is one of the world's top phosphate
exporters, and cotton accounts for more than 20% of total export revenue. Other
exports include coffee, yams, cassava, grain, cement, and textiles. Togo is a
developing tourism destination with a variety of tourist attractions. It is
famous for its fauna and natural landscapes. There is now only one UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The primary tourist attractions are beaches and wildlife
excursions. Some popular places are Kpalime, Koutammakou, Lome, Togoville,
Fazao Malfakassa National Park, Keran National Park, and Kara. The country
received approximately 573,000 tourist visits each year on average.
