Togo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic (French: République Togolaise), is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north.
It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its capital Lomé is located.
Togo covers an area of approximately 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi) with a population of approximately 6.7 million.
Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent on agriculture, with a climate that provides good growing seasons. Togo is one of the smallest countries in all of Africa.
The official language is French, with many other languages spoken in Togo, particularly those of the Gbe family.
The largest religious group in Togo are those with indigenous beliefs, and there are significant Christian and Muslim minorities.
Togo is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, La Francophonie and Economic Community of West African States.
From the 11th to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions.
From the 16th century to the 18th century, the coastal region was a major trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast".
In 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate.
After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France.
Togo gained its independence from France in 1960.
In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a successful military coup, after which he became president.
At the time of his death in 2005, Eyadéma was the longest-serving leader in modern African history, after having been president for 38 years.
In 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbé was elected president.
République Togolaise
Motto: "Travail, Liberté, Patrie" (French)
"Work, Liberty, Homeland"
Anthem: Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux (French)
Hail to thee, land of our forefathers
Capital and largest city: Lomé (6°7′N 1°13′E)
Official languages: French
Vernacular: languages
• Gbe
• languagesa
• Kotocoli
• Kabiyé
Ethnic groups: (42 tribes)
• Ewe
• Kabyè
• Akebou
• Mina
• Kotokoli
• Aja
• and others
Demonym: Togolese
Government: Presidential republic
• President
• Prime Minister
Legislature: National Assembly
Independence from France: 27 April 1960
Area:
• Total: 56,785 km2 (125th) - 21,925 sq mi
• Water (%): 4.2
Population: 2013 estimate 7,154,237 (101st)
Density: 125.9/km2 (93rde) - 326.3/sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2012 estimate
• Total: $6.910 billion
• Per capita: $1,096
Currency: CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone: GMT (UTC+0)
Drives on the right
Calling code: +228
ISO 3166 code: TG
Internet TLD: .tg
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The Tottenham Hotspur striker, 30, refused call-ups for World Cup qualifiers last year following a spat with then coach Didier Six after the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tchakala was a player in the German league between 1992 and 1995 and took his coaches badges in Germany.
Julien Kossi Denke, was Togo's first footballer to play overseas. The defender was more popularly known as Wazo and captained Togo at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast in 1984. Later that year he signed for French second division club Chateauroux from Togolese side Aiglons de Lome.
