Formerly known as the Gold Coast under the colonial rule of Britain, Ghana gained independence in 1957. It was the first African country under colonial rule to free itself of foreign ruling. English is still the official language and many colonial influences still remain, however, Ghanaians are an immensely proud race and are keen to preserve objects and customs of cultural and historical importance. The many traditional relics of the Kingdom of Ashanti are highly coveted. Dotted across the landscape of Ghana are several ruined castles and forts, bearing reminders of European rule. Within the many market places one can find a vast array of handicrafts and the alike.

Situated on the Gulf of Guinea and sandwiched between the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo, Ghana occupies a total land area of 230,940 sq km and some 8,520 sq km of water. Ghana is one of West Africa's most densely populated countries. The capital city is Accra.

The world's largest artificial lake, Lake Volta is a stunning feature of Ghana. From north to south, the lake measures a staggering 520km. On a map it appears to be a river with several filtering deltas and indeed it was once a river until it was dammed in 1964, flooding a large area of the Ghanaian landmass. The southern quarter of Lake Volta is home to several species of wildlife including hippos, crocodiles and waterbuck in an area known as the Digya National Park. The area surrounding the North West of the lake is called the Mole Game Reserve. Big cats, and many species of birds thrive here. The highest elevation within Ghana is Mount Afadjato which stands at a height of 880m, making Ghana a relatively low-lying country of densely forested rolling hills. The far south of Ghana boasts 539km of flat sandy beaches. Inland from the coast, the landmass develops into semi-fertile plains, punctuated by the estuaries of river contributaries.

Ghana's climate is tropical with two distinct areas of rainy season, along the coast, the rains arrive and last the duration of May and June. This region also receives heavy rains during October. The north of Ghana only receives a rainy season during May and June. Temperatures average 35°C year-round.

Ghana has plenty of natural resources and has twice the per capita output of other, poorer African nations. The major exports of Ghana are gold, timber and cocoa, although agriculture accounts for 60% of Ghana's workforce. Other industries include lumbering, light manufacturing and aluminium smelting.