Westafrika

West Africa is the subregion of Africa stretching along the Atlantic Ocean from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea. It typically includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo; definitions vary on whether Mauritania is included.

Geography ranges from coastal mangroves and tropical forests to inland savannas. The climate is tropical along the coast and semi-arid in parts of the Sahel, with distinct wet and dry seasons that shape agriculture, trade routes, and daily life.

Historically, West Africa hosted powerful empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, connected by trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt. European coastal forts emerged from the 15th century, followed by colonial rule and, after World War II, independence movements that redefined borders and governance.

Economically, the region is diverse. Cocoa dominates the economies of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana; Nigeria is a major oil producer; gold and other minerals are mined across several countries. Urban centers grow and diversify, but development challenges persist, including poverty, infrastructure gaps, and governance issues.

Demographically, West Africa is densely populated and multilingual. Official languages reflect colonial histories: French in many states, English in others, and Portuguese in Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau. The region is known for vibrant music, cuisine, and literature with substantial global influence.