Ghana At a Glance
Location. Western Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea.
Neighbouring countries. Bordered to the west by Ivory Coast, to the north by Burkina Faso, to the east by Togo and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.
Size/area 239,460km 2 - roughly equal to Great Britain or the state of Oregon, USA.
Climate Tropical, Hot and humid in the south; hot and dry in the north.
Status Republic; member of the Commonwealth; Independent since 1957.
Population 28 million (2016 estimate)
Life expectancy 66 years
Capitol Accra (population 2.3 million)
Other main towns Kumasi, Tamle, Sekondi-Takoradi, Cape Coast, Obuasi, Tema.
Economy Major industries include agriculture - most notably cocoa farming - bauxite and gold mining, oil production, aluminum smelting, and tourism.
GDP US $113.3 billion, with a per capita GDP of US $4,300
Languages Official language is English. At least 46 African languages are spoken, with the major ones including Twi, Fante, Ewe, Ga, Dagomba and Halisa.
Religion Predominantly Christian, but largely Muslim in the north.
Currency Cedi (GHC) (1 cedi = 100 pesewa)
Exchange rate The exchange rate in September 2016 was roughly GHC 3.97 to US $1, GHC 4.44 to Euro 1 and GHC 5.18 to L 1
Main airport Kotoka International Airport, Accra (ACC)
International telephone code +233
Time GMT
Electrical Voltage 200/220V
Flag Horizontal stripes in red, yellow, and green (top to bottom), with a black star in the center
National anthem ‘God Bless our Homeland, Ghana’
Public holidays 1 January, 6 March, 1 May, 25 May, 1 July, 21 September, first Friday in December, 25 December, 26 December.