Overview:

Cape Coast, A city in southern Ghana, the capital of the central region. It borders the Gulf of Guinea and is 50 kilometers southwest of Takoradi. The population is 82,291 (2000). One of the oldest trading ports in Ghana. Founded in 1652, it was once an important port and administrative center. There are historic sites such as castles, fortresses and churches. It is now an important education center, including Cape Coast University and Hospital. Copra is produced nearby and lime is mined. There are many salt fields along the coast and the fishery is prosperous. In 1976, an industrial zone was established to produce bricks and tiles, tobacco products, cotton fabrics, cocoa products, beverages, chemicals, etc. The road extends in all directions.

The Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty "slave castles", or large commercial fortresses, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders. It was originally built by the Swedes for the timber and gold trade, but was later used in the transatlantic slave trade. Other slave castles in Ghana include Elmina Castle and Fort Christiansborg. They were used to load slaves and then loaded onto ships for sale in the Americas, especially the Caribbean.