| Kpalimé | ||
 | ||
| State | Togo | |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | Central Togo | |
| Surface | 35 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 75.084 (2010 census) | |
| Prefix tel | 228 | |
| Time zone | UTC | |
Position
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Kpalimé is a city of Central Togo.
To know
Kpalimé is located in the heart of a luxuriant vegetation, the city is renowned for the richness of its natural environment, thanks to the numerous efforts of some associations for environmental protection and development.
Kpalimé is also one of the most visited places in Togo. Thanks to the climate and mountain landscape, the city has been popular since colonial times. There are artists and artisans exhibiting throughout the city. It is also an important center of the textile industry and agricultural production, especially cocoa.
Its population is the fourth in order of magnitude after Lome, Sokodé is Kara.
Geographical notes
The surrounding landscapes are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country. Immersed in a valley surrounded by green hills, not far from the Mount Agou (the highest peak of the Togo), the city is at the crossroads of roads leading to other parts of the country and to the neighbor Ghana, located 15 km to the west.
Background
Kpalimé was originally called Agomé-Kpalimé, being one of the villages of the Agomé people. Their origins can probably be traced back to Yorubaland in the Nigeria modern, and in particular to two cities: Ifè (the religious center) e Oyo (the political and administrative center). The migrants gradually moved west, settling in Kétou (Benin), Tado (Togo) and eventually founding the city of Notsé.
King Agokoli, who ruled Notsé in the early 18th century, was a tyrant. This caused many people to flee, taking refuge in Gamé. There were three main groups of fugitives, one of which was made up of Agomé, Agou, Kpélé, Danyi, Gbi, Peki, Kpando, Matsè and Wodzo.
Their migration eventually led them to Anidi sul Mount Kloto (then called Méléku), located 13 km northwest of Kpalimé. The Agomé consisted of five clans led by a leader named Tsali. There, they were free to engage in activities such as farming, hunting, farming, fishing, crafts and trade.
Until 1880, Kpalimé was a small inland village surrounded by forests. It had no connection with the coast. It was colonization that led to its birth as a large interconnected city. The colonial history of Kpalimé is unusual as it is one of the few places in Africa which passed from the administration German (1890-1914) to that British (1914-1920) and then French (1920-1960). Malaria and other tropical diseases took hold of the first settlers: none of those buried in the German military cemetery lived beyond 35 years.
In 1890, Jesko von Puttkamer, the German imperial commissioner for Togoland, founded the first field station in Misahohè, 9 km from Kpalimé. It was a strategic position in the German "Togo Hinterland Expedition" and was considered the gateway to Northern Togo.
The small size and remoteness of Misahohè forced the German government to invest in nearby Kpalimé by setting up offices, administrative services and a minimum of socio-economic infrastructure. Kpalimé quickly stole the limelight from Misahohè, becoming the regional capital. Located at a crossroads, it has attracted many traders. In 1913, there were 39 companies in Kpalimé, with only eight white employees.
The Germans also invested in road and rail links between Kpalimé and the coast, opening the branch Lome–Kpalimé of the Togo railways in 1907. At that time, this revolutionized the city, giving new life to the region's trade and agriculture. However, the railway was not operational for many years.
However, the First World War (1914-1918) cut the German rule of Kpalimé. Crossing the border from what was then the Gold Coast, the British occupied the city for six years (1914-1920). They did nothing remarkable for the development of Kpalimé, concerned as they were by the war. Following the Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919), they ceded the city to the French in 1920.
Located in fertile countryside, Kpalimé was the ideal place for pre-export storage of crops. This was an important factor in its growth, with the French colonizers giving Kpalimé progressively greater autonomy, with its status changing from "indigenous commune" (1939), to "mixed commune" (1951) and finally to "commune "(1959).
How to orient yourself
Kpalimé: full screen map.How to get
By car
Kpalime is a 2 hour drive from Lome.
By bus
Taxis and minibuses ply the relatively good route between Lome and Kpalimé starting from the central station. These vehicles can also be taken on the fly out of the city. Journey time ranges from 2 to 2.5 hours.
How to get around
By taxi
In Kpalimé there is a huge amount of motorcycle taxis. Even crossing the entire city, the price should never exceed 200 CFA.
What see
Kpalimé is surrounded by pleasant natural scenery with rolling wooded hills and numerous waterfalls in the countryside. In the Muslim part of the city there are many smaller mosques. There are still many colonial buildings from the German occupation. On the Missahöhe, in the north of the city, there is a German cemetery and a large colonial mansion.
- 1 Château Vial. The settlers French they built the imposing castle in 1940. Since then, however, the humid climate and sporadic maintenance of the Château Vial have led to its deterioration. Today it is still used as a meeting place for the Togolese government.
- Holy Spirit Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Esprit). Neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral built during the rule German in 1913, near the highest point in the country, the Mount Agou and has become somewhat the symbol of the country.
- Wome Falls (Cascade de Womé). Waterfall in the jungle below ground level. There are no guides on the site, so it is best to go there with a guide found in the city. Since the terrain and the path to get there are rough, a 4x4 is the best vehicle for getting around. The water is clean so you can wear your swimsuit to swim and take a dip.
- Kpimé waterfalls (Cascade de Kpimé), Kpimé Seva. A magnificent sight during the rainy season. However, as the water in the falls is diverted to a nearby dam, it sometimes comes down to a simple drip in the dry season. Guides are available at the falls.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
Kpalime is the artisanal capital of Togo. It is the center for wood carving, clothing, textiles, ceramics and other works of art. Many boutiques offer similar items albeit with small variations. It is best to buy food and textiles on the market. There is the Grand Marché in the city center and the new market just west of the Gare Routieres.
- Aklala Batik du Togo, ☎ 228 91 74 18 85.
Mon-Sat 8: 00-17: 00. Batik and fabrics of various colors and styles are sold. - Craft center (Center artisinal). Offers various types of crafts.
- Blindenwerkstatt. It also offers a large selection of souvenirs and handicrafts.
- (On the main road opposite the Grand Marchés). A small shop called which offers some exquisite products such as cheese, chocolate, wine and appliances.
Mon-Sat 8: 00-17: 00. Batik and fabrics of various colors and styles are sold.How to have fun
Shows
- Municipal stadium (Stade Municipal). Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 people, used to host football / soccer matches for the club based in Kpalimé, Gomido FC.
Night clubs
Kpalimé offers relatively many opportunities to go out in the evening.
- Chez Fomen (At the Crystal Hotel). Sat. The only real club.
- Alokpa bar. Typical street bar where especially on weekends the long evenings are danced with music from theWest Africa ed European.
- Africa Bar (Chez Corneille). Reggae bar with a very friendly bartender, unmistakable for his laughs.
Where to eat
The local drink of the area is known as sodabi, a powerful palm distillate.
Moderate prices
Numerous stalls in the city center offer the typical red sauces with pate (similar to puddings). At the bus station you can also get dishes with the delicious Fulani (Peul) cheese. Before "Chez Fomen" you can buy meat skewers (Brochette) for 100 CFA. In addition, there are several small cafes that prepare simple dishes such as spaghetti, couscous, fries, peas or omelettes for little money. Two are, for example, on the main road between Post and Texaco, the Belair and the Prestige.
- 1 Binjago, RN5 (In front of the police).
Average prices
- Le Bon Vivant. A Belgian and his mother serve great burgers, Fillet Stroganoff and more, all washed down with Belgian beer.
- Macumba (Out of town towards Kloto on the left of the ABCN), ☎ 228 91 82 02 81. Kitchen Togolese affiliated with the ABCN training center. Local dishes including goat meat soup, roast chicken and fufu (mashed potatoes).
- Au Fermier (On the way out of town towards Mount Kloto). Delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable armchairs and quiet music.
- Chez Lazard. Good restaurant, popular with Europeans for its lasagna.
High prices
Where stay
Average prices
- Mandela Inn (Auberge mandela), Castle Market Street, ☎ 228 91 42 29 99.
- Jess Hotel, Kpeta district. Each hotel has a private bathroom and is air conditioned. It also boasts a bar and a garden.
- The Geysers (Directly to the court), @[email protected].
Double 18,500 CFA 1000 CFA in taxes. With Wi-Fi and swimming pool.
Double 18,500 CFA 1000 CFA in taxes. With Wi-Fi and swimming pool.Safety
Kpalimé is basically safe. The problem could be road traffic.
Kpalimé has several health centers, for example the "Solidarité". Here, blood tests for malaria and bacteriological tests may be done. Western-quality medicines can be purchased from pharmacies, for example.
Malaria is a constant companion in this region. Effective protection is ultimately not possible. Malaria medications can be purchased locally and usually heals within 3 days.
Water should only be drunk bottled, plastic bags ("pure water") are cheaper, but environmentally questionable due to the complete absence of waste disposal facilities. It is advisable to filter the water well. Unfiltered water often contains amoebas and bacterial germs in Kpalimé, which can lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal diseases.
After a trip, a subsequent examination at a facility specializing in tropical medicine is recommended.
How to keep in touch
Post office
The branch of the Togolese post office is located on the main road. From here postcards, letters and parcels can be sent all over the world. Postcards can be purchased at the Grand Marché or in the bookshop next to the cathedral.
Telephony
For telecommunications, it is advisable to purchase a Togolese SIM card (moov or toucocell). One minute to other European countries costs around 200 CFA.
Internet
There are good Skypefähige Internet connections in the Internet cafe near the Cathedral, in Cyber Zomayi on the way to Ghana, and in front of the Alokpa bar.
Around
- 1 Misahöhe Forest Reserve This 5,000-hectare forest is the habitat of many plant species and 67 bird species making it the Togolese biotope most frequented by forest birds.
The Kloto and Agou mountains are the starting point for beautiful walks in the heart of nature and tropical vegetation.
- 2 Mount Kloto 825 m a.s.l. Lying on soft green mountains, numerous butterflies can be observed here.
- 3 Mount Agou 986 m a.s.l. The largest mountain in the region offers a wonderful view. On a clear day you can see the Volta Lake.
Useful information
The Afrikabar bartender has an extensive network of acquaintances which also includes many European volunteers and is happy to make contact. In the "Bon vivant" you can get in direct contact with European and American volunteers who live in Kpalimé.
