Coastal Countries of AfricaCoastal Countries of Africa

LandLand Gulf of Guinea/Atlantic OceanGulf of Guinea/Atlantic Ocean Sandy Beaches, RainforestsSandy Beaches, Rainforests RiversRivers

– Senegal, Gambia, Volta, NigerSenegal, Gambia, Volta, Niger Shallow = no large shipsShallow = no large ships

EconomyEconomy

Cassava: Cassava:

Tropical Woody PlantTropical Woody Plant

AgricultureAgriculture– Rubber, Coffee, Kola, Palm Oil, CacaoRubber, Coffee, Kola, Palm Oil, Cacao

Import >ExportImport >Export– Raw vs. FinishedRaw vs. Finished

HistoryHistory

AshantiAshanti– Trade, LearningTrade, Learning

EuropeansEuropeans– Trade PostsTrade Posts– SlaverySlavery– Young, skilled workers goneYoung, skilled workers gone

The Slave TradeThe Slave Trade

GhanaGhana First country to gain Independence from First country to gain Independence from

Europe - 1957Europe - 1957 Kwame Nkrumah: 1Kwame Nkrumah: 1stst president and 1 president and 1stst

Prime Minister (oversaw the Prime Minister (oversaw the independence of Ghana)independence of Ghana)

GhanaGhana

Rich in Natural ResourcesRich in Natural Resources Accra*Accra* Lake VoltaLake Volta

– HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

Cote D’IvoireCote D’Ivoire

““Ivory Coast”Elephant TusksIvory Coast”Elephant Tusks Top Producer of Cacao BeansTop Producer of Cacao Beans Abidjan*:economic & former Abidjan*:economic & former

official capital official capital French official languageFrench official language

LiberiaLiberiaFounded by the American Founded by the American

Colonization Society:Colonization Society:– American SlavesAmerican Slaves– Named For President MonroeNamed For President Monroe– Highly UnstableHighly Unstable

Sierra LeoneSierra Leone

Founded for freed European SlavesFounded for freed European Slaves Farming/DiamondsFarming/Diamonds Civil WarCivil War DangerousDangerous

SenegalSenegal

Under French Colonialism until 1960Under French Colonialism until 1960 Capital: Dakar, Capital: Dakar, 90% Muslim90% Muslim Government: Multiparty democratic Government: Multiparty democratic

republic. republic.

BeninBenin

Capital: Porto NovoCapital: Porto Novo Government: Multiparty Democratic RuleGovernment: Multiparty Democratic Rule 42 Ethnic Groups (Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and 42 Ethnic Groups (Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and

Bariba)Bariba) Religion: 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%.Religion: 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%. Natural resourcesNatural resources:: Small offshore oil Small offshore oil

deposits, limestone, marble, timber.deposits, limestone, marble, timber.

TOGOTOGO Originally colonized byOriginally colonized by GermanyGermany Government: RepublicGovernment: Republic Transitioning to Multiparty DemocracyTransitioning to Multiparty DemocracyReligion: traditional African religions 51%, Christian Religion: traditional African religions 51%, Christian

30%, Muslim 15%. 30%, Muslim 15%. Official Language: French (commerce)Official Language: French (commerce) Ewe & Mina (S)/Kabye &Dagomba (N)Ewe & Mina (S)/Kabye &Dagomba (N)