Ghana once known as the Gold Coast has other assets that are as good as gold: lovely beaches, lively nightlife, good roads, a variety of landscapes and some of the friendliest people on the continent. In short, Ghana is a safe, beguiling introduction to West Africa.

While much of the continent seems to be falling apart, Ghana has managed not merely to retain a strong sense of national identity, but actually to boost its economy and infrastructure. Once a center of the slave trade, Ghana was also the first modern African country to win its independence - giving it a headstart in nation-building. The people of Ghana are well educated and proud of their country - it has good schools, a thriving press and one of the highest economic growth rates on the continent.

Geography
The land is diverse. The coast has palm-lined beaches amid many natural harbors. There are thick forests (and gold reserves) in the center of the country. Lake Volta, surrounded by lush hills and waterfalls, dominates the eastern part of the country. In the north, dry grasslands and rolling hills make up the landscape. Ghana is bordered by Cote d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.