Countries of the World/COUNTRYS.BIN/dp/0370/03702.txt

Text File | 1991-06-25 | 20KB | 424 lines

$Unique_ID{COW03702}
$Pretitle{443}
$Title{Togo
Togo Tourism: 'A Country of Rich Cultural Traditions'}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Togo, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Togo, Washington DC}
$Subject{tourist
togo
hotel
kms
lome
visit
center
togolese
country
rooms}
$Date{1990}
$Log{Folklore*0370201.scf
Women*0370202.scf
Procession*0370204.scf
}
Country:     Togo
Book:        Key to Progress, Unity and Happiness in Togo
Author:      Embassy of Togo, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Togo, Washington DC
Date:        1990

Togo Tourism: "A Country of Rich Cultural Traditions"

"Who does not know Togo, does not know Africa."

     This lapidary formula sums up in itself the idea which the foreigner is
expected to keep in mind about Togo. Because of the country's diverse
cultural, ethnic, topographical and climatic aspects, Togo is said to be
"Africa in Miniature."

     Togo, with an area of 56,785 sq. kms. and a population of 3 million
inhabitants, is a complex country because of the rich diversity of its
population and vegetation, as well as the variation of its landscape.

     Situated in the center of the Gulf of Benin, between the People's
Republic of Benin and Ghana, the Togolese territory stretches inwards into the
continent across plains, plateaus, mountains, forests, rivers and savannas,
over a distance of about 700 kms., while its maximum width is hardly 150 kms.,
including a beautiful palm fringed coastline.

     On this stretch of land, the Ewes, Kabyes, Mobas, Kotokolis, Akpossos,
Bassars, Fulanis, Minas etc...live harmoniously.

     The Togolese population is very young: 50% of the inhabitants are less
than 15 years old. Serious efforts have been made towards the education of
children (currently more than 70%).

[See Folklore: Togolese folklore is one of Africa's richest, and offers
tourists a dazzling and ancient cultural heritage of song and dance,
representative of Togo's diversified ethnic background.]

Togo Tourism: "A Country of Rich Cultural Traditions"

[See Women: Carrying blankets on their heads. Courtesy of Embassy of Togo,
Washington DC.]

     The Togolese population comprises 85% farmers. The stretch of the country
over several latitudes favors cultivation of various crops such as coffee,
cocoa, cotton, millet, rice, sorghum, yams, cassava, maize etc...in the
forest, as well as in the savanna regions.

     The majority of Togolese practice traditional religions, which consist
of worshipping gods through various divinities. There is also a strong
Christian minority (Catholic and Protestant), and Moslem communities.

     The large number of ethnic groups (more than 30) bestows upon the
Togolese tradition an exceptional richness and diversity.

     Togolese dishes are also famous for their quality. There exists in all
these ethnic sectors a tradition moulded by multiple foreign contributions
which have been integrated with local values.

     In order to encourage trade among the Togolese and other peoples of the
world, and stimulate tourism, the Government has built modern hotels for the
reception of foreigners and nationals who want to discover the touristic
beauty and potentialities of Togo.

Hotels, Touristic Sites and Itineraries

     If you want to visit Togo, it is most likely that your visit will start
with Lome, the capital.

     Besides a deep sea harbor, Lome also has a large, modern international
airport. Inspite of a second airport of the same category at Niamtougou
(almost 500 kms. from the capital), Lome is the starting point towards the
discovery of the interior of the country.

     Apart from these infrastructural characteristics, Lome attracts more
than 80% of the country's tourist reception capacity. One can find, notably,
several big hotels of international class, which compare favorably with others
of the same standing, in the great cities throughout the world.

     Right in the center of the capital city is the Hotel du 2 Fevrier (2nd of
February) (369 rooms, 5 stars), which dominates the surrounding landscape with
its 35 story-building, offering an exceptional panoramic view of Lome.

     Just a stones throw from this hotel is the RPT Party Headquarters (Maison
du Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais), which offers its 3 thousand seat hall to
conferences from all corners of the world. The hotel's 369 rooms include 52
presidential apartments and 52 ministerial apartments.

     All around the spacious Independence Monument can be found majestic
administrative buildings.

     Hotel Sarakawa (250 rooms, 5 stars), has the distinction of being
situated on a magnificient beach a few meters from the sea, and continuously
receives a fresh breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. Its accommodations are
deluxe, with a wonderful, efficient staff, superb cuisine, spacious rooms and
complete beach club-pool facilities.

     Just alongside the expressway to the Lome Harbor, like Sarakawa, is
situated Hotel de la Paix (250 rooms, 4 stars), which stretches its harmonious
architecture among the coconut trees. Here, too, the golden beach is just a
stones throw from the hotel, across the expressway.

     Hotel Tropicana, which is situated at about 12 kms. from the center of
the city, is a 180 room "ideal touristic village," which mostly receives Swiss
and German tourists.

     The international class hotels have tennis courts, swimming pools, arts
and crafts shops, night-clubs, conference halls etc...Horseriding is also
offered at some hotels.

     A special attention is also given to middle and lower income tourists in
Togo. They can find hotels suited for their tastes and pockets: we cite among
others, Hotel le Benin; Hotel du Golfe; Miramar; Le Foyer des Marins; L'Hotel
Continental etc...

     Lome is a center of multiple attractions. Numerous local tourist
agencies such as Togo Touriste, Togo Voyages, Gazelle Tours, Pronito etc...
could be of use to tourists. But, if you like individual adventure, then your
stroll should start from the west-end of the Rue du Commerce towards the east.

     This street is a really busy one, crowded on both sides with shops
offering goods from all over the world: Singapore, Korea, China, Hong-Kong,
France, Holland, Japan, The Federal Republic of Germany etc...

     You will find alongside the Hotel du Golfe an ideal art and crafts
village, sculptures in ebony, ivory, leather, cast-iron or brass.

     Around the Central Market, the tourist will notice a very heavy
circulation of pedestrians and vehicles. The Central Market, which a tourist
should not miss, offers a colorful Togolese scene of bright textile materials,
fruit-food stalls, smiling women and beautifully, exotically dressed people
from Togo and across West Africa.

     This is the kingdom of enterprising market women, who have acquired their
fame and fortune through courage and unequaled know-how.

     But, before arriving at the Central Market, it will be worthwhile to
detour towards the main Cathedral which dominates the scene with its two
towers. It is a reminder of the era of the Germans who built it at the start
of the century.

     The Protestant Church which you admired at the start of your stroll was
also constructed by the Germans. These two buildings are precious relics of
the past.

     The tourist could also visit other German constructions, such as the
Central Railway Station and the Catholic Vocational Training Center.

     The National Museum, in the premises of the Party Headquarters, is
another tourist attraction. If the tourist likes traditional music and dances,
then, he should visit the various areas of the city where there are
traditional music and dances, especially on the weekends.

     A visit to the Fetish Market at Be-Kpota, which is full of surprises, is
a must.

     The eastern itinerary: if the capital is a site of heavy concentration of
hotels, the national life does not stop there. The tourist will be astonished
to discover hotel premises of excellent standing in the interior of the
co