"Togo" Togo by sarahandgareth

Togo is a tiny sliver of a country in West Africa, nestled between Ghana and the almost-as-tiny Benin - all of which are dwarfed by their neighbour to the east, Nigeria.

Togo, although French-speaking, has a very close relationship with Ghana, since part of Ghana was once the other half of the colony Togoland, once held by Germany and then divided by Britain and France after the First World War.

These days, sadly, the country is often best-known, when known at all, for the antics of its president, Gnassingbe Eyadema, Africa's longest-serving leader. He has been in office since 1967, and has had the constitution amended to facilitate his extended stay in power.

Still, take the opportunity to visit Togo, for the capital is especially fascinating, with a beautiful sea-front setting, and some of the best food you'll eat anywhere in West Africa.