Geograpy



Geography


 * [|Ghana]** is a country in [|West Africa], along the [|Gulf of Guinea], just a few degrees north of the [|equator].

Ghana is characterized in general by low physical [|relief]. Indeed, the [|Precambrian] rock system that underlies most of the nation has been worn down by erosion almost to a plain. The highest elevation in Ghana, [|Mount Afadjato] in the [|Akwapim-Togo] Ranges, rises only 880 meters above sea level. There are, nonetheless, four distinct geographical regions. Low plains stretch across the southern part of the country. To their north lie three regions--the Ashanti Uplands, the Akwapim-Togo Ranges, and the Volta Basin. The fourth region, the high plains, occupies the northern and northwestern sector of the country. Like most West African countries, Ghana has no natural harbors. Because strong surf pounds the shoreline, two artificial harbors were built at [|Takoradi] and [|Tema] (the latter completed in 1961) to accommodate Ghana's shipping needs.