Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
Ghana is a multiethnic country rich in natural resources and is one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa. Ghana has been inhabited for at least several thousand years, but little is known about its early inhabitants. By the 12th century, the gold trade started to boom in Bono (Bonoman) state in what is today southern Ghana, and it became the genesis of the Akan people's power and wealth in the region. Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese, followed by other European powers, arrived and competed for trading rights.
- Capital
- Accra
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 35,336,133
- Area
- 238,533 sq km
- Location
- Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
- Climate
- tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
- Natural resources
- gold; timber; industrial diamonds; bauxite; manganese; fish…
- Languages
- Asante 16%; Ewe 14%; Fante 11.6%; Boron (Brong) 4.9%…
- Religions
- Christian 71.3% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 31.6%; Protestant 17.4%; Catholic 10%; other 12.3%)…
- Independence
- 6 March 1957 (from the UK)
- Administrative divisions
- 16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper…
- Currency
- cedis (GHC)
- Export partners
- Switzerland 24%; UAE 18%; India 8%; South Africa 7%…
- Import partners
- China 30%; Netherlands 8%; India 5%; USA 5%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain