Togo (country): capital, description, population, code

The Republic of Togo is a country in West Africa, which shares borders with such countries as Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso. The southern coast is washed by the Guinea Bay. The capital of the state is the city of Lomé.

Historical background

About the antiquity of Togo to this day, only minor facts based on archaeological finds are known. Artifacts indicate a sufficient development of local ancient tribes, who knew how to handle iron and mold pottery.

In the 15th century, the Portuguese colonialists came to the territory of the Eve people for a new slave party. Three centuries later, on the site of the main settlement, the Europeans founded the small town of Lomé. It is worth noting that Togo is a country whose capital has long changed neither its name nor geographical location. On the African continent this is a great rarity. In the mid-1880s, under the agreement of France, Britain and local leaders, Togo became part of the German Empire as a colony. Over the next 60 years, the African country was torn apart by the wars and robberies of the European invaders. Hardly every year the state passed into the hands of Britain, then France, then back to Germany. And only at the end of 1945 the UN took care of the state.

In April 1960, Togo received the long-awaited status of an independent republic. At that time, the country was led by Silvanus Olympio, who won 99% of the vote. The new president raised the economy and the authority of the state to unprecedented heights. However, he was not destined to stay in power for long. In 1963, he was killed by oppositionists who forcibly seized power. For several years, the republic was torn apart by internecine wars. The situation changed with the coming to power of the famous dictator Eyadem Gnassingbe.

Today Togo is a country with its own culture, traditions, economy and political system. Since 1993 he has been actively cooperating with the European Union and the United Nations.

Population

The first thing to note is the religious structure of the republic. Togo is the country in which all religions are allowed. Most of the inhabitants are adherents of the worship of ancient deities. Also in the country there are many Catholics, Muslims, Pentecostals, Methodists, Adventists and Presbyterians. The population varies between 6.2 million people, although this index is inexorably decreasing every year. All the fault - the average life expectancy. Its rate even for African countries is considered quite low. Men on average live up to 58 years, women - 62 years. Another reason for the population decline is the high percentage of HIV-infected people - more than 3.5%.

In the republic there are still about fifty tribes with ancient traditions.

Political system

The African country of Togo is a presidential republic. The head of state is Gnassingbe Essozymna. The ISO-index of the republic is TG. The country code for Togo is + 228.

The constitution was signed on the basis of a referendum in 1992. The head of state is elected for 5 years. The President has the right to collect and dissolve the National Assembly (Parliament), which is the main legislative body of Togo. The NA consists of 81 deputies. Each of them is also elected for 5 years.

The army forces in Togo are given special attention. Despite the scarcity of military ranks (about 9 thousand soldiers), the Armed Forces of the country are well equipped and organized. It is not for nothing that the Togolese army is considered one of the best in all of Africa. The country is actively assisted by France in the military field. The State of Togo is divided into 5 administrative regions: Kara, Lomé, Atakpam, Dapaon and Sokodé.

Economic situation

Today, Togo is a country based on re-export and agriculture. Commerce here at the highest level. The main export commodities are cocoa, coffee, cotton and phosphates. From the domestic branches of agriculture it is worth noting the cultivation of maize, rice, beans, tapioca. In the villages, local residents breed large livestock, are engaged in fishing.

The annual GDP per capita is approximately $ 900. This indicator is achieved due to the developed industrial extraction of phosphates and textiles. In recent years, the unemployment rate has risen, so many Togolese have to go abroad.

On export, the state annually replenishes the treasury on average by 750 million dollars. Most of the products are sold in Asia and Europe.

Geographical features

Most of Togo is occupied by plains. In the central region there are plateaus of impressive sizes, the average height of which ranges from 200 to 400 meters. The south of the country is represented by coastal plains and lagoons. The highest point of the republic is the peak of Mount Agu - 987 m. Only a few large rivers flow through Togo. The longest of them is Mono - 467 km. At its mouth, the border with the state of Benin. It is noteworthy that the largest lake in the country is also called Togo. Its area is 50 square meters. Km.

The climate here is hot, equatorial, semi-dry. The average temperature range varies within +25 degrees. Flora is represented by endless savannahs. In the country, many minerals are mined: bauxites, gold, aluminum, graphite, iron, marble, uranium, kaolin, chromium, etc.