Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is located in West Africa, bordered by the Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The capital and largest city is Accra. Historically, Ghana was known for its rich kingdoms, including the Ashanti Empire, and was an important center of the gold trade. It was also a major hub in the transatlantic slave trade. Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957, led by Kwame Nkrumah, a prominent advocate for Pan-Africanism. Ghana's economy is one of the strongest and most diversified in Africa, with agriculture (including cocoa and oil palm), gold mining, and recently, oil production being major contributors. The country is the second-largest producer of cocoa globally. Despite its economic progress, Ghana still faces challenges such as income inequality and rural poverty. The population of Ghana is ethnically diverse, with the Akan group being the largest, followed by Mole-Dagbon, Ewe, Ga-Dangme, Gurma, and others. English is the official language, but many indigenous languages are also spoken, including Akan, Ewe, and Dagbani. Culturally, Ghana is known for its vibrant traditions, including music, dance, and festivals. Highlife and Afrobeat music originated in Ghana and are popular throughout the region. The country is also famous for its colorful kente cloth, traditionally woven by the Ashanti and Ewe people. Ghana is also notable for its democratic political system, often cited as a model for stability and democracy in Africa. It has a history of peaceful transitions of power and a vibrant civil society. Geographically, Ghana features diverse landscapes, including coastal plains, tropical rainforests, and savanna. The country's climate is tropical, with a wet and dry season. The Volta River system, including Lake Volta, the largest artificial reservoir in the world by surface area, is a key feature of Ghana's geography and important for transportation, electricity generation, and irrigation. Population of Ghana from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 29.7 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 30.4 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 31.1 million inhabitants. Capital (Accra): Population in 2020: About 2.5 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Accra: 2.5 million Kumasi: 2 million Tamale: 562,000 Sekondi-Takoradi: 445,000 Ashaiman: 298,841 Sunyani: 248,496 Cape Coast: 169,894 Obuasi: 168,641 Teshie: 154,513 Tema: 155,782 Ghana is divided into 16 regions.