Volta basin

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The Volta Basin is one of five geographical natural areas in Ghana .

In terms of area, it is the largest natural area in the country and, with a size of approx. 87,000 km², covers about 45% of the country's area. In the Volta Basin is the Lake Volta , which influences the climate of Ghana.

The Volta Basin extends over the Afram Plain in the south, bordering the Mampong Elevation , over the Konkori Step as the western border, to its northern extent on the edge of the Gambaga Threshold . To the south the Kwahu plain forms the border with the highlands of Ashanti , to the east the Akwapim-Togo range is the natural end of the Volta basin. To the north of Lake Volta, this natural area extends to heights of 300 to 460 meters.

In the Volta Basin there are very nutrient-poor soils made of Volta sandstone . An average annual rainfall of 1000 mm to 1150 mm falls here. Particularly in the east of the Volta Basin natural landscape, at the transition to the Akwapim-Togo chain in the area around Kete Krachi and east of it, more precipitation is recorded. Here the average amount of precipitation is around 1200–1500 mm. In the Volta Basin, the predominant type of vegetation is the savannah . In the area between the Daka (also Doka) and the Oti , the vegetation changes into dry forest. In the north of the Volta Basin, the amount of precipitation is even lower than the average and the climate is already more strongly influenced by the dry winds from the Sahara , so that open tree and shrub savannah is expanding here.

Numerous rivers flow into Lake Volta after they have flowed through the Volta Basin. Including the White Volta , the largest drainage system in Ghana.

See also

More natural areas in Ghana