# Volta River

> river system in West Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q192415](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192415)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volta_River)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/volta-river

## Summary
The Volta River is a major river system located in West Africa, primarily flowing through Ghana and bordering Burkina Faso. It is a defining geographical feature of the region, with its lowest point in Burkina Faso recorded at the Black Volta and its course traversing the sub-Saharan landscape. The river system is distinct from the Order of the Volta and the destroyer ship named Volta, serving as a critical natural watercourse in the area.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: River system (larger natural watercourse).
- **Primary Location**: West Africa, specifically within Ghana and bordering Burkina Faso.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Multiple points recorded including latitude 8.648741/longitude -0.982618, latitude 5.7711111111111/longitude 0.67305555555556, and latitude 5.77385/longitude 0.67201.
- **Lowest Point (Burkina Faso context)**: The Black Volta, situated at an elevation of 200 meters.
- **Related Entities**:
  - **Order of the Volta**: A Ghanaian order of merit established in 1960.
  - **Volta (Ship)**: A 1936 Mogador-class destroyer.
- **Sitelink Count**: 74 (indicating significant documentation across knowledge bases).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Volta River.
- **Wikidata Description**: River system in West Africa.
- **Aliases**: Volta, River Volta.
- **Bordering Nations**: Ghana (country of inception 1957) and Burkina Faso (country of inception 1960).

## FAQs
**What is the geographical extent of the Volta River system?**
The Volta River is a large natural watercourse situated in West Africa, flowing through Ghana and forming part of the border with Burkina Faso. Its course is marked by specific coordinate points ranging from the northern latitudes near 8.64 to the southern latitudes near 5.77.

**How is the Volta River distinguished from other entities with the same name?**
The river is distinct from the "Order of the Volta," which is a Ghanaian order of merit created in 1960, and the "Volta," which refers to a 1936 Mogador-class destroyer. While the river is a natural geographical feature, the other entities are a state decoration and a military vessel, respectively.

**What is the significance of the Black Volta in relation to the river system?**
The Black Volta is a specific section or tributary of the river system that marks the lowest point in Burkina Faso at an elevation of 200 meters. This feature highlights the river's role in defining the topography of the region it traverses.

## Why It Matters
The Volta River matters as a foundational geographical element of West Africa, shaping the landscape and hydrology of Ghana and its neighbors. As a major natural watercourse, it supports the ecological and economic systems of the region, including the agricultural and demographic profiles of the nations it flows through. Its presence is so significant that it lends its name to the "Volta" region in Ghana and the "Order of the Volta," a national honor, demonstrating its deep cultural and historical integration into the identity of the area. Furthermore, the river's course defines critical border points, such as the lowest elevation in Burkina Faso, making it essential for regional geography and environmental studies.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Diversity**: The river system spans multiple coordinate points, traversing from the northern reaches of West Africa down to the coastal regions of Ghana.
- **Topographical Significance**: It contains the lowest point in Burkina Faso (Black Volta at 200 meters), serving as a key reference for the region's elevation data.
- **Cultural Naming Legacy**: The river system is the namesake for the Volta Region in Ghana and the Order of the Volta, a prestigious national award.
- **Distinct Identity**: It is clearly differentiated from non-geographical entities sharing the name, such as the 1936 destroyer ship and the 1960 order of merit.
- **Regional Connectivity**: The river acts as a natural boundary and connector between Ghana and Burkina Faso, two sovereign states in West Africa.

## Body
### Geography and Course
The Volta River is a substantial river system located in West Africa, characterized by a complex network of coordinates that define its path. Specific recorded locations include latitude 8.648741 with longitude -0.982618, as well as points further south at latitude 5.7711111111111/longitude 0.67305555555556 and latitude 5.77385/longitude 0.67201. The river flows through the sovereign state of Ghana, which occupies a territory of 238,535 square kilometres in the sub-Saharan region. It also borders Burkina Faso, a landlocked country to the north. Within the context of Burkina Faso's geography, the Black Volta section of the river system marks the nation's lowest point at an elevation of 200 meters. The river's course is integral to the landscape, which includes coastal plains in the south and inland savannahs in the north.

### Political and Administrative Context
The river system is situated within the borders of Ghana, a country established in 1957 as a democracy with its capital at Accra. Ghana operates as a presidential constitutional republic and is a member of international bodies such as the United Nations and the African Union. The river also defines part of the border with Burkina Faso, which gained independence in 1960 and is currently governed by a military junta following the January 2022 coup. Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation with its capital at Ouagadougou and shares borders with Ghana, Mali, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. The administrative divisions of Ghana include the Volta Region, one of its 16 regions, which is named after the river system. Similarly, Burkina Faso is divided into 13 regions, though the river's primary administrative impact is noted in the Ghanaian context.

### Related Entities and Distinctions
The name "Volta" is associated with several distinct entities beyond the river system. The "Order of the Volta" is a Ghanaian order of merit that was established in 1960, reflecting the river's cultural importance to the nation. Additionally, "Volta" refers to a 1936 Mogador-class destroyer, a military vessel that shares the name but is unrelated to the watercourse. These distinctions are crucial for accurate classification, as the river is a natural watercourse with a sitelink count of 74, whereas the Order of the Volta has a sitelink count of 8 and the destroyer has a sitelink count of 9. The river system is also known by the aliases "Volta" and "River Volta" in various knowledge bases.

### Regional Significance and Demographics
The river system flows through regions with significant demographic profiles. Ghana, through which the river primarily flows, has a population of approximately 32.8 million as of 2021, with a high degree of linguistic diversity including over 80 languages. Burkina Faso, bordering the river, has a population of approximately 23 million as of 2023 and is known for its diverse cultural heritage and numerous ethnic groups. The river's presence influences the settlement patterns and economic activities in these areas, supporting agriculture and regional commerce. The economic indicators of the region include Ghana's nominal GDP of $72.8 billion (2022) and Burkina Faso's nominal GDP of over $20 billion (2023), both of which are impacted by the natural resources and geography defined by the river system.

### Technical and Environmental Data
From a technical perspective, the Volta River system is documented with precise coordinate data and is recognized in global databases with specific identifiers. The river's lowest point in Burkina Faso is a key environmental metric, recorded at 200 meters. The surrounding countries utilize different technical standards; for instance, Ghana uses the .gh internet domain and the +233 calling code, while Burkina Faso uses .bf and +226. The river's course is part of the broader West African environment, which includes the Gulf of Guinea to the south and the savannah landscapes to the north. The river system's integration into the region's geography is further evidenced by its role in defining the borders and the lowest elevation points of the neighboring nations.

## References

1. GeoNames
2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
5. KBpedia