Coastal Countries of Africa

Land  Gulf of Guinea/Atlantic Ocean  Sandy Beaches, Rainforests  Rivers –Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Niger  Shallow = no large ships

Economy  Cassava: Tropical Woody Plant Tropical Woody Plant  Agriculture –Rubber, Coffee, Kola, Palm Oil, Cacao  Import >Export –Raw vs. Finished

History  Ashanti –Trade, Learning  Europeans –Trade Posts –Slavery –Young, skilled workers gone

The Slave Trade

Ghana  First country to gain Independence from Europe  Kwame Nkrumah: 1 st president and 1 st Prime Minister (oversaw the independence of Ghana)

Ghana  Rich in Natural Resources  Accra*  Lake Volta –Hydroelectricity

Cote D’Ivoire  “Ivory Coast”Elephant Tusks  Top Producer of Cacao Beans  Abidjan*:economic & former official capital official capital  French official language

Liberia Founded by the American Colonization Society: –American Slaves –Named For President Monroe –Highly Unstable

Sierra Leone  Founded for freed European Slaves  Farming/Diamonds  Civil War  Dangerous

Senegal  Under French Colonialism until 1960  Capital: Dakar,  90% Muslim  Government: Multiparty democratic republic.

Benin  Capital: Porto Novo  Government: Multiparty Democratic Rule  42 Ethnic Groups (Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba)  Religion: 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%.  Natural resources: Small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber.

TOGO  Originally colonized by Germany Germany  Government: Republic Transitioning to Multiparty Democracy Transitioning to Multiparty Democracy Religion: traditional African religions 51%, Christian 30%, Muslim 15%. Official Language: French (commerce) Ewe & Mina (S)/Kabye &Dagomba (N) Ewe & Mina (S)/Kabye &Dagomba (N)