Togo is a narrow strip of land—no more than 130 kilometres (80 miles) wide—lying between Ghana and Benin in West Africa. It is one of Africa's smallest countries by area. At Togo's southern end is a strip of coast, just 56 kilometres (35 miles) long, edged by sandy beaches and lagoons. Here, the capital and port city of Lomé looks out across the Gulf of Guinea. Further inland, the land rises to the slopes of the Togo Mountains, which cover much of central Togo. North of these mountains lie savanna grasslands, across which flows the River Oti. Nearly all of Togo has a tropical climate with hot, humid weather all year round. The far north is hotter and drier. From the 16th century to the 18th century, this region of Africa was a major trading centre for Europeans to obtain slaves. Togo and the surrounding region thus became known as the "Slave Coast". Towards the end of the 19th century, the area came under German control and was known as Togoland.

People

There are about 40 different ethnic groups in Togo. The Ewe, who live in the south, are the largest group; the majority in the north are Kabye. Togo was ruled by France from 1914–60. Today the country is independent but French is still the official language. Children learn French at school, but most people speak the language of their ethnic group as a first language.

Economy

Togo’s economy relies on agriculture. About two-thirds of its people work on small farms growing maize, rice and yams for themselves and their families. Although it is a poor country, Togolese farmers are able to produce all the food the country needs. Along the coast, many people also fish for a living. There are some larger commercial farms producing cocoa, coffee beans and cotton.

Another large industry is phosphate mining. Togo has large reserves of phosphates, minerals used to make fertilizers, and the phosphate mining industry is vitally important. Because phosphates provide such a large part of its foreign income, Togo’s economy suffers badly when world prices of phosphates fall.

Animism

About half of Togo’s people follow a system of beliefs called animism. Animists believe that non-human things, such as plants, animals, mountains—even the weather—have spirits and can influence the human world. In some communities, people make statues or carve sculptures as dedications to these spirits. They might also put on village dances to ask the spirits for good health or a good harvest. Many people in Togo follow Christianity or Islam as well as animist beliefs.

Facts about Togo

Population 9,583,381 (2024 estimate)

Area 54,385 sq km

Highest point Mont Agou 986 m (3235 ft)

Capital Lomé, metro area population 2,188,376

Other major cities Sokodé (pop. 189,000), Kara (104,207), Kpalimé (75,084)

Languages French, Ewe, Mina, Kabye, Dagomba

Religions Christian 48%, Muslim 128%, indigenous beliefs (animist) 33%

Ethnicity Ewe, Mina, Kabye and others

Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)

Chief exports cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa