Gulf of Guinea

Encyclopedia : G : GU : GUL : Gulf of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea is the part of the Atlantic southwest of Africa. The gulf is considered the geographic center of the earth because it is zero degrees longitude and latitude (where the Equator and Prime Meridian meet).

The gulf derives its name from the former names of the coasts of Africa. The south coast of West Africa, north of the Gulf of Guinea, was historically called "Upper Guinea." The west coast of Southern Africa, to the east, was historically called "Lower Guinea." The name "Guinea" is still attached to the names of three countries in Africa: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea, as well as New Guinea in Melanesia.

Among the many rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea are the Niger River, the Volta, and the Congo River. The coastline on the gulf includes the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Bonny.

[[zh-min-nan:Guinea-oan]]

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