Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Togo, a small yet diverse country in Western Africa, boasts a rich history and vibrant culture. Its capital, Lomé, located in the southwest, is the largest city and serves as the country’s primary port. Historically, the area that is now Togo served as an intermediate zone between the powerful states of Asante and Dahomey.
The various ethnic groups within Togo lived largely in isolation until 1884 when the region became part of the Togoland German protectorate. In 1914, during World War I, British and French forces occupied Togoland. Subsequently, in 1922, the League of Nations mandated that eastern Togoland be administered by France and the western part by Britain.
After World War II, the territories were placed under United Nations trusteeship. In 1956, British Togoland was incorporated into the Gold Coast (now Ghana), and French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the French Union. Togo gained full independence in 1960.
Today, Togo’s economy is largely based on agriculture, with significant contributions from its extensive phosphate reserves. Togo enjoys a tropical climate, with distinct rainy seasons in the south from mid-April to June and from mid-September to October. The coastal region, receiving about 35 inches (890 mm) of rainfall annually, is the driest part of the country.
In contrast, the area around Palimé, situated about 65 miles (100 km) inland, is the wettest, with approximately 70 inches (1,800 mm) of rainfall per year.
