Lome - Culture

Lome, capital of West African republic Togo, is the country’s principal administrative, transport, and economic centre. It is a city divided -- split between Togo and its western neighbor, Ghana. Most of Togo’s international trade passes through the city’s port, which was enlarged and deepened in 1968 to accommodate ocean-going vessels. Its huge market, one of the biggest in Francophone Africa, home to the famous "mercedes-ladies", those formidable queens of the wholesale cloth trade. The main exports here are cotton, coffee, cacao, and palm nuts. Textiles and processed food are the major goods manufactured in the city.

Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north. The rainy season lasts from April to July. Short rains occur from October to November. The driest and hottest months are February and March. Togo Location: West Africa Independence: April 27, 1960 Nationality: Togolese Capital City: Lome Population: 4,410,370 Important Cities: Kpalime, Atakpame, Dapango, Tsevie Head of State: Gnassingbe Eyadema Area: 56,600 sq.km. Type of Government: Republic Currency: 500 FCFA=1USD Major peoples: Ewe,Kabye,Kotokoli Religion: African religion 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10% Climate: Tropical Literacy: 43% Official Language: French Principal Languages: Ewe, Kabye, Mina Major Exports: Phosphates