Ghana Location;

Ghana is located between Ivory Coast to the West and Togo to the East. To the North is Burkina Faso, and the south is the Gulf of Guinea. The Ghana Map illustrates this, here..

It is only a few degrees top of the equator. Due to this fact, Ghana climate is usually warm and humid depending on the month.

The Prime Meridian, commonly known as Greenwich Meridian, which assess through the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London, also passes through Tema, Ghana. That's why it is often said that, Ghana is closer to the center of the earth than any other country.

Size; The total land boundaries that Ghana shares with her immediate neighbors is 2,093 km, with (548 km) for Burkina Faso, Togo with (877 km) and Ivory Coast with (668 km).

The length of the coastal belt is 539 Km.  It is the lowest point of Ghana at 0 meters, and mostly have sandy shores. Moving further away, is a land of plains and low plateaus with a blend of many lagoons, streams and rivers.

Mid portions of the tropical rain forest is made up of thick forests, hills and several rivers, lakes and streams. The highest point of Ghana is Mount Afadjato, at 880 meters.

The northern belt is mainly covered by low scrub or bush and grassy plains. This area is normally known as the Savannah Belt.

Area; The total area of Ghana including water bodies is approximately 239,460 sq km. Its geographic coordinates are 800 N, 200 W.


Water Bodies;

These water bodies include rivers, streams, lakes and lagoons. The total area of water bodies is approximately about 8,520 sq km. In the rainy seasons, the levels of these bodies rises and verse versa in the dry harmattan season. In some extreme drought situations, some rivers dry up.

There are two most important lakes in the history of Ghana Geography;

The Volta Lake, which represents one of the Largest man-made lake in the world, is found in Volta Region.

It is made up of two rivers- the Nakambe River, also known as the White Volta River, which flows from Burkina Faso.

The Mouhoun River, also called the Black Volta River, originates from the same country as the former and also forms a small portion of the boundary between Ghana and Cote D' voire.

These two "Voltas" meet to form the huge Volta Lake which flows down  south into the Gulf of Guinea. 

The second, is Lake Bosumtwi in the Ashanti Region, believed to be created by an impact of a meteorite, causing a big crater(10.5 km in diameter) million years ago. This lake doesn't have any outlets.

Natural Resources;

There are so many resources in Ghana and new ones being discovered periodically. The most important ones include, Gold, Diamonds, Bauxite, Manganese, Silver, salt, Limestone, Hydro power and also Timber, Fish, and Rubber.

Crude Oil exploration is on going at some coastal parts of Ghana. Reliable sources claim the amount of oil continues to increase with progress.

Natural Hazards;

Ghana weather is very dry and dusty in the harmattan season due to the northeast trade winds blowing from the desert, which normally occurs between January and March. This can lead to droughts in extreme cases.
 
Environmental Problems;   

1. Frequent severe drought conditions in the Northern sector affect agricultural activities.
 
2. Overgrazing by livestock.

3. Deforestation leading to soil erosion.

4. Habitat destruction, unauthorized hunting and poaching, endangering wildlife populations.

5. Lack of adequate supply of portable water and water pollution.

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Go back to Facts about Ghana.

References

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Wikipedia( To read more about Geography of Ghana, click here>>>)

World Factbook

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