Togo shares borders with Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the south of the country, which is a narrow strip of land rising behind coastal lagoons and swampy plains to an undulating plateau. Northwards, the plateau descends to a wide plain irrigated by the River Oti. The central area is covered by deciduous forest while savannah stretches to the north and south. In the east, the River Mono runs to the sea; long sandy beaches shaded by palms characterise the coastline between Lomé and Cotonou in Benin. Togo’s capital, Lomé, is the only capital in the world which is situated right next to a border. The city itself is a mixture of the traditional, especially around the Grand Marché, and the modern. The fetish market, with its intriguing voodoo charms, lotions and potions, is an interesting place to wander. Togo’s wildlife parks include the Fazao National Park outside Sokodé, the Kéran National Park near Kara and the Fosse aux Lions (Lions’ Den) southwest of Dapaong. There are numerous nightclubs, particularly in Lomé; most serve food and are open until the early hours for dancing to a mixture of West African and Western popular music.

West Africa.

GMT.

56,785 sq km (21,925 sq miles).

5.1 million (UN estimate 2005).

89.81 per sq km.

Lomé. Population: 732,000 (official estimate 2001).

Togo shares borders with Burkina Faso to the north, Benin to the east and Ghana to the west, with a short coast on the Atlantic in the south. The country is a narrow strip, rising behind coastal lagoons and swampy plains to an undulating plateau. Northwards, the plateau descends to a wide plain irrigated by the River Oti. The central area is covered by deciduous forest, while savannah stretches to the north and south. In the east, the River Mono runs to the sea; long sandy beaches shaded by palms characterise the coastline between Lomé and Cotonou in Benin.

Republic since 1967. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Faure Gnassingbe since April 2005 (succeeded his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, after his death in February 2005). Head of Government: Prime Minister Edem Kodjo. Recent history: When President Eyadema unexpectedly died in February 2005, the constitution was hastily changed and his son, Faure, initially assumed power. This was condemned both at home and by the international community and led to violent protests between rival political parties. Amid rising violence, Faure reluctantly stepped down and scheduled Presidential elections for April of that year. Against a backdrop of political violence and accusations of vote rigging and intimidation, Faure won the Presidential election and was sworn in as the new President in May 2005. However, the political situation remained tense with opposition parties calling for the appointment not to be recognised. Up to 500 people were killed in the political violence surrounding the Presidential poll, according to the UN. Around 40,000 Togolese fled to neighbouring countries. The internal situation remains uncertain but there has been a sustained period of relative calm since then.

French is the official language, while Ewe, Watchi and Kabiyé are the most widely spoken African languages. Very little English is spoken.

50 per cent traditional or animist, 35 per cent Christian and 15 per cent Muslim.

220 volts AC, 50Hz single phase. Plugs are square or round two-pin.

Music and dance are the most popular forms of culture. The Togolese have had a varied colonial heritage which has resulted in the variety of Christian denominations and European languages; the voodoo religion is a strong influence in the country and many young girls, after fulfilling an initiation period, will devote their lives to serving the religion and the voodoo village priest. Practical, casual clothes are suitable. Beachwear should not be worn away from the beach or poolside.