Accra is the capital and the largest city of Ghana, as well as being the executive, financial, and educational center of Ghana. It is situated on the Gulf of Guinea. The Portuguese first settled on the coast of what is now Ghana in 1482. Europeans - British, French, Dutch, Swedes and Danes, in addition to the Portugese, arrived at various centuries and built forts here. Independence was gained in 1957.The word Accra comes from the Akan word nkran, which means the black ants that are found amply in this region.

Major buildings, other than the forts, are the Korle Bu General Hospital, which includes the Ghana Medical School, the Holy Spirit (Roman Catholic), Holy Trinity (Anglican), and Methodist churches. Other places of interest are national records and the national museum. Also located here are the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. The city also has a race course and a football stadium. Ceremonial parades are held in Independence Arch, in Black Star Square. Accra also has good roads.

[ Western Africa - Northern Africa - Eastern Africa ]
[ Central Africa - Southern Africa - the African Islands ]

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