Volta River: Difference between revisions
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Correcting many capitalization mistakes, and other confusions. There are HUGE differences between "dam", "reservoir", "lake", "power plant", and they are not interchangeable. |
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| map_caption = Map of the Volta River and its main three tributaries, the White Volta, Red Volta, and Black Volta rivers. |
| map_caption = Map of the Volta River and its main three tributaries, the White Volta, Red Volta, and Black Volta rivers. |
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The '''Volta River''' is the main river system in the [[West Africa]]n country of [[Ghana]]. It flows from Bobo-Dioulasso highlands of Burkina Faso. The main part of the river are the [[Black Volta]], the [[White Volta]] and the [[Red Volta]]. In the |
The '''Volta River''' is the main river system in the [[West Africa]]n country of [[Ghana]]. It flows into Ghana from Bobo-Dioulasso highlands of [[Burkina Faso]]. The main part of the river are the [[Black Volta]], the [[White Volta]], and the [[Red Volta]]. In the northwest, the Black Volta forms the international boundaries between the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. The Volta flows southward along Akwapim-Togoland highlands, and it empties into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] at the [[Gulf of Guinea]] at Ada. It has a smaller tributary river, the Oti, which enters Ghana from Togo in the east. The Volta River has been dammed at Akosombo for the purpose of generating [[hydroelectricity]]. The [[reservoir]] named [[Lake Volta]] stretches from Akosombo in the south to the northern part of the country, thus becoming one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the world. |
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==Reservoir== |
==The Reservoir== |
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Lake Volta is a reservoir impounded by the [[Akosombo Dam]] on the lower Volta River in southern Ghana. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the world. It extends from the Akosombo Dam in southeastern Ghana to the town of [[Yapei]] in the Central Gonja District, Northern Region of Ghana, some {{convert|400|km|mi}} to the north. |
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The |
The dam's [[power plant]] generates electricity for the [[Volta River Authority]], and the reservoir also provides water transport routes. It may be a resource for [[irrigation]] and [[fish farming]]. |
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The depth of the river is {{convert|45|ft|m}} below Lake Volta. |
The depth of the river is about {{convert|45|ft|m}} below Lake Volta. The Volta River is crossed by the [[Adome Bridge]] just below the Akosombo Dam. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Volta River was named by Portuguese gold traders in Ghana. It was their farthest extent of exploration before returning (''volta'' is Portuguese for "twist" or "turn").<ref name="Volta - etymology"/> ''"River of return"'' (perhaps because it was where ships turned around and headed for home) or “river of |
The Volta River was named by Portuguese gold traders in Ghana. It was their farthest extent of exploration before returning (''volta'' is Portuguese for "twist" or "turn").<ref name="Volta - etymology"/> ''"River of return"'' (perhaps because it was where ships turned around and headed for home) or “river of the bend”, in reference to its curved course.<ref name="Volta - etymology">[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=Volta&searchmode=none Volta - etymology]</ref><ref name="Bakewell">{{cite book|author=Wilks,Ivor. Wangara, Akan, and Portuguese in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries|editor1-last=Bakewell|editor1-first=Peter|title=Mines of Silver and Gold in the Americas|date=1997|publisher=Variorum, Ashgate Publishing Limited|location=Aldershot|pages=15}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 03:43, 30 October 2017
Template:Geobox The Volta River is the main river system in the West African country of Ghana. It flows into Ghana from Bobo-Dioulasso highlands of Burkina Faso. The main part of the river are the Black Volta, the White Volta, and the Red Volta. In the northwest, the Black Volta forms the international boundaries between the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. The Volta flows southward along Akwapim-Togoland highlands, and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Guinea at Ada. It has a smaller tributary river, the Oti, which enters Ghana from Togo in the east. The Volta River has been dammed at Akosombo for the purpose of generating hydroelectricity. The reservoir named Lake Volta stretches from Akosombo in the south to the northern part of the country, thus becoming one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the world.
The Reservoir
Lake Volta is a reservoir impounded by the Akosombo Dam on the lower Volta River in southern Ghana. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the world. It extends from the Akosombo Dam in southeastern Ghana to the town of Yapei in the Central Gonja District, Northern Region of Ghana, some 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the north.
The dam's power plant generates electricity for the Volta River Authority, and the reservoir also provides water transport routes. It may be a resource for irrigation and fish farming.
The depth of the river is about 45 feet (14 m) below Lake Volta. The Volta River is crossed by the Adome Bridge just below the Akosombo Dam.
History
The Volta River was named by Portuguese gold traders in Ghana. It was their farthest extent of exploration before returning (volta is Portuguese for "twist" or "turn").[1] "River of return" (perhaps because it was where ships turned around and headed for home) or “river of the bend”, in reference to its curved course.[1][2]
See also
- Impacts of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Project — environmental and human health issues from the Akosombo Dam and Lake Volta.
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