Gold Coast (region)
West African region rich in gold, now the nation of Ghana.
The Gold Coast was a region on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, rich in gold, petroleum, and natural gas. It is now known as the country Ghana. The name originally referred strictly to the coast, but by the 19th century it came to include areas far inland.
- location
- Gulf of Guinea, West Africa
- named_after
- Main export resources (gold, pepper, ivory, slaves)
- major_colonial_powers
- Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Couronian, Danish, Brandenburger/Prussian, British
- modern_name
- Ghana
Lore & Background
The Gold Coast region was named for its primary export, gold, along with other resource-based names like Slave Coast and Ivory Coast. Bono Manso was one of the earliest cities, predating European contact and trading with the Mali and Songhai Empires. Other claimants included the Swedish, Couronian, Danish, and Brandenburger/Prussian Gold Coasts.
Reader's Guide
The Gold Coast region holds significance as a major site of European colonial competition in West Africa, driven by its abundant gold and other resources. Its history illustrates the shift from coastal trading posts to full territorial control, culminating in the formation of modern Ghana. The region's name itself reflects the European practice of labeling coasts by their primary exports. The choice of the name Ghana was made in accordance with the wishes of the population, as explained by Lord Listowel. The Gold Coast's legacy includes its role in the transatlantic gold trade and the eventual establishment of an independent nation that retained the region's historical identity.
Did You Know?
- The Gold Coast was named after gold, while neighboring regions were called Slave Coast, Pepper Coast, and Ivory Coast.
- Bono Manso was one of the earliest cities on the Gold Coast, predating European contact.
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