The Republic of Ghana (formerly known as the Gold Coast) is a country in west Africa. It has a total area of 238,540 km2 The climate is tropical; warm and comparatively dry along the south-east coast; and hot and humid in the south-west; hot and dry in the north. The terrain is comprised mostly of low plains with dissected plateau in the south-central area. Natural resources are gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber. The religion is 38% indigenous beliefs, 30% Muslim, 24% Christian, 8% other. The official language is English with African languages also spoken including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga. The area was originally made up of several powerful native kingdoms including the Fanti on the coast and the Ashantees inland (the kingdom of Ashantee). The arrival of Europeans in the 15th century led to the establishment of trading posts from 1600 onwards until in 1874 the British with the assistance of the Fanti having finally ousted the other Europeans established the colony of the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast became independent in 1957, changing its name to the republic of Ghana. Research Ghana
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Ghana