The most momentous discovery in western Africa, however, came in 1471, when Portuguese captains first reached the coast of modern Ghana between the mouths of the Ankobra and Volta rivers.
Where did the Portuguese first settle in Ghana?
In 1483, the Portuguese came to the continent for increased trade. They built the Castle of Elmina, the first European settlement on the Gold Coast.
Who was the first Portuguese in Ghana?
Portuguese arrival
The Portuguese first reached what became known as the Gold Coast in 1471. Prince Henry the Navigator first sent ships to explore the African coast in 1418.
Which century did the Portuguese arrive in Ghana?
The History of The Republic of Ghana
The earliest Europeans to set foot on the land were the Portuguese in the 15th century (1471). On their arrival, they found so much gold between the rivers Ankobra and the Volta that they named the area “da Mina”, meaning “The Mine”.
Why did the Portuguese came to Ghana?
The Portuguese were the first to arrive. By 1471, under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator, they had reached the area that was to become known as the Gold Coast because Europeans knew the area as the source of gold that reached Muslim North Africa by way of trade routes across the Sahara.
Which country colonized Ghana first?
Colonialism is a big topic, but it can only be understood by looking at human experiences. Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. The British called the territory the “Gold Coast Colony”.
What did the Portuguese call Ghana?
In 1419, attracted by the stories that linked the region to the gold deposits, the Portuguese arrived in the area of present-day Ghana, which became known as the Gold Coast. There, in 1482, they created the São Jorge da Mina fort.
What is the oldest castle in Ghana?
Elmina Castle is the oldest and largest in Ghana, West Africa. Along the West and East Coast of Ghana, there are a line up of Forts and Castles.
Why did the Portuguese name Ghana Gold Coast?
Gold Coast & European Exploration: Before March 1957 Ghana was called the Gold Coast. The Portuguese who came to Ghana in the 15th Century found so much gold between the rivers Ankobra and the Volta that they named the place Mina – meaning Mine. … Their aim was to trade in gold, ivory and slaves.
Who built the first castle in Ghana?
St.
In 1471, a Portuguese expedition arrived, led by Don Diego d’ Azambuja. They called the area “Mina de Ouro” because of the vast amount of gold and ivory, they found. A mere eleven years after their first contact, the Portuguese built St. George’s Castle, commonly called Elmina Castle, in 1482.
What did Europe want from Africa?
Raw materials like rubber, timber, diamonds, and gold were found in Africa. Europeans also wanted to protect trade routes. During the 1800s, Europeans moved further into the continent in search of raw materials and places to build successful colonies.
Where does Portuguese gold come from?
Portuguese gold is quality stuff
Gold manufacture in Portugal can be traced back to the third millennium BC. At that time, reserves were plentiful from the Tagus River basin. Once those were depleted, prospectors discovered other sources throughout the country.
What did the Portuguese do in Africa?
The Portuguese destroyed the Arab trade routes in the Indian Ocean between Africa, Arabia and India. The Portuguese replaced Arab control of the trade in ivory, gold and slaves with their own. They traded up the Zambezi river and interfered with the existing inland African trade.
Who lead the Portuguese to Ghana?
The Portuguese first reached what became known as the Gold Coast in 1471. Prince Henry the Navigator first sent ships to explore the African coast in 1418. The Portuguese had several motives for voyaging south.
What was Ghana called before Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast was the first British colony in Africa to become independent. After independence, its name changed to Ghana, and the first president was Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana is in West Africa, in the Gulf of Guinea.
Who changed the name Gold Coast to Ghana?
Ghana which was known as Gold Coast was changed to Ghana after independence by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. J. B. Danquah.