Overview
Togo, officially known as the Togolese Republic, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north, with its southern edge opening onto the Gulf of Guinea. Togo is classified as one of the least developed countries in the world, a status that reflects ongoing economic and infrastructural challenges despite its rich cultural heritage and strategic coastal position.
Geography
Togo is a small, elongated, tropical nation, extending north from the Gulf of Guinea to its border with Burkina Faso. The country covers a total area of approximately 57,000 square kilometres, making it one of the smaller nations on the African continent. Despite its length, Togo is remarkably narrow, with a width of less than 115 kilometres (71 miles) separating its neighbours Ghana and Benin.
- Bordered by Ghana to the west
- Bordered by Benin to the east
- Bordered by Burkina Faso to the north
- Coastline along the Gulf of Guinea to the south
Population
Togo has a population of approximately 8 million people. This relatively modest population is distributed across a narrow strip of land that stretches from the coast deep into the West African interior, resulting in a diversity of landscapes and local communities across different regions of the country.
Regional Context
Togo occupies a strategic position within West Africa, sandwiched between two larger neighbours, Ghana and Benin, and sharing its northern frontier with Burkina Faso. Its coastal access to the Gulf of Guinea has historically made it a point of connection between the interior of West Africa and maritime trade routes, while its slender shape has shaped much of its internal geography and connectivity.