Travel By Numbers: Ghana

Two months after President Obama's visit, the coastal West African nation hosts the 30th UN World Tourism Day tomorrow. Sophie Lam calculates its appeal

1

The position – in size – of Lake Volta, the planet's largest man-made lake. Day trips on the lake are offered by Expert Travel, and cost US$119 (£79) per person, including lunch. expertravel.com.gh

400

The starting price, in dollars, of a coffin for a Ga tribe funeral. The elaborate designs reflect the deceased. London's British Museum has a small collection. Admission free. britishmuseum.org

1421

The year that locals believe the Larabanga mosque to date back to. It also serves as a gateway to Mole National Park, home to more than 93 species of mammal and 300 species of bird, including elephants, monkeys and buffalo. Fulani Travel's 10-day 'Ghana Discovery' tour takes in the mosque and park for €1,490 per person. fulanitravel.co.uk

0

Tema, a suburb of Accra, is the closest point on land to the centre of the world at 0°,0° (the site is just south, in the Atlantic Ocean). British Airways flies to Accra from Heathrow. Returns from £622.10. ba.com

7,000,000

The average population of Ashanti people thought to live in Ghana, mostly based in the central Ashanti Region. Theirs is a culture steeped in tradition. Central to their beliefs is a small golden stool, thought to have floated out of the sky into the lap of the first Ashanti king. Wars have broken out over it – including over a British governor who demanded to sit on it. Explore! runs a 16-day 'Kingdom of the Ashanti' tour; prices start at £1,729 per person. explore.co.uk

1957

The year the Gold Coast achieved independence from the UK to become Ghana. Visit colonial sites on Imaginative Traveller's 15-day 'Kingdoms of Gold' tour, from £1,449. imaginative-traveller.com

539

The distance, in kilometres, of Ghana's coastline, much of which encompasses long stretches of palm-fringed golden sand and balmy, teal-hued water. Axim, where the country's second oldest Portuguese fort is situated, is also a jumping-off point for some of the coast's most idyllic beaches. Here, the Axim Beach Hotel offers stylish chalets with sea views. B&B starts at US$30 (£20). aximbeach.com

250

The number of languages and dialects spoken in Ghana. The population is made up of eight main ethnic groups and many more sub-groups; the former UN secretary general Kofi Annan was born into the coastal-based Fanti group. This year the UN's 30th World Tourism Day will be held in Ghana, its theme celebrating diversity. unwto.org/wtd