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 The area was originally made up of several powerful native kingdoms including the Fanti on the coast and the Ashantees inland (the kingdom of Ashantee or Ashanti). The arrival of Europeans in the 15th century led to the establishment of trading posts from 1600 onwards. The first settlements on this coast were made by the Portuguese, who built the fort of Elmina, seized by the Dutch in 1637. Subsequently a number of Dutch and English settlements were established, but the former were transferred to Britain in 1872 and in 1874 the British with the assistance of the Fanti having finally ousted the other Europeans established the colony of the Gold Coast (so named because its chief export was gold). Ashantee was finally completely annexed in 1901, after having given much trouble. The Gold Coast became independent in 1957, changing its name to the republic of Ghana. Research Ghana
Patois is a Creole language based on English and influenced by Akan and Bantu spoken in Jamaica.
Patois is a term used to describe a non-standard local dialect. Research Patois
Twi is a variety of the language Akan, spoken by the Twi people of southern Ghana. Akan is divided into two main varieties: Twi and Fante. Research Twi
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Akan
