Geography

Togo is on the south coast of West Africa bordering on Ghana to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Benin to the east. The Gulf of Guinea coastline, only 51 km, is low and sandy. The only port is at Lomé. The Togo hills traverse the central section.

Capital (and largest city): Lomé 6°7?N 1°13?E

Official language(s): French

Vernacular languages: Gbe languages such as Ewe, Mina and Aja;Kabiyé; and others.

Ethnic groups: African 99% (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Government: Republic

• President: Faure Gnassingbé
• Prime Minister: Gilbert Houngbo

Independence: from France  | April 27, 1960

 Area

•  Total: 56,785 km² (125th) 21,925 sq mi
• Water (%): 4.2

Population

• 2009 estimate: 6,619,000^[3] (101st¹)
• Density: 116.6/km² (93rd²) 301.9/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate

• Total: $5.612 billion^[4]
• Per capita: $826^[4]

GDP (nominal)  2009 estimate

• Total: $2.865 billion^[4]
• Per capita: $422^[4]

HDI (2010):  0.428 (low) (139th)

Currency: CFA franc