Ghana , the gateway to Africa is situated right in the heart of West Africa . Its borders extend from the Gulf of Guinea covering a distance of about 672km from the south to the north, and about 540 km from the east to the west. It covers an entire area of about 239, 533 sqkm² (or 92,000 square miles).

The southern coast extends between latitude 4½º N to the west and 6½º N to the east. The country is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso , the east by Togo , the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Cote d'Ivoire . A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills, beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. In the far north is a plateau averaging 500m (1600ft) in height. In the east the Akuapim Togo hills run inland from the coast along the Togo border. The Black and White Volta rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso , merging into the largest manmade lake in the world, Lake Volta. Ghana 's coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons.