56,785 sq km (21,925 sq miles).

3,928,000 (1994).

69.2 per sq km.

Lomé.

513,000 (1990).

Togo shares borders with Burkina Faso to the north, Benin to the east and Ghana to the west with a short coast on the Atlantic in the south. The country is a narrow strip, rising behind coastal lagoons and swampy plains to an undulating plateau. Northwards, the plateau descends to a wide plain irrigated by the River Oti. The central area is covered by deciduous forest, while savannah stretches to the north and south. In the east, the River Mono runs to the sea; long sandy beaches shaded by palms characterise the coastline between Lomé and Cotonou in Benin.

Republic since 1967. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Gnassingbé Eyadéma since 1967. Head of Government: Prime Minister Koffi Eugene Adoboli since 1999.

French is the official language, while Ewe, Watchi and Kabiyé are the most widely spoken African languages. Very little English is spoken.

50% traditional or animist, 35% Christian and 15% Muslim.

GMT.

220 volts AC, 50Hz single phase. Plugs are square or round 2-pin