I've never been there

A weekly look at countries they didn't bother teaching you about in school. Information for this series comes from World Statesmen and the CIA World Factbook - but they can't even assassinate leaders of sovereign nations without everyone finding out about it so what would they know?

6. Togo

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. General Gnassingbe Eyadema, installed as military ruler in 1967, is Africa's longest-serving head of state. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continues to be dominated by President Eyadema, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. In addition, Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. Most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana

Population: 5,285,501

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

Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20%

Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Capital: Lome
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4
Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus two repeaters)
Internet Country Code: .tg
Railways: 525 km
Highways: 7,520 km

International Disputes: Benin accuses Togo of moving boundary markers and stationing troops in its territory

5 Jul 1884: Togoland a German protectorate
1 Jan 1905: German colony of Togoland.
26 Aug 1914: British and French occupation
31 Aug 1914: German administration surrenders.
27 Dec 1916: Partioned into French and British zones.
20 Jul 1922: League of Nations mandates, British and French Togolands.
16 Jun 1940-Nov 1942: French Togo administration loyal to Vichy France (from Nov 1942, under Free French).
13 Dec 1946: United Nations trust territories, French Togo Associated Territory and British Togoland.
24 Jun 1956: Autonomy
13 Dec 1956: British Togoland part of Ghana.
27 Apr 1960: Independence from France (Togo Republic).