Elmina

 Situated approximately 15km west of Cape Coast, around 2km off the Cape Coast - Takoradi Road in the Central Region of Ghana, Elmina is a picturesque coastal village along the Gulf of Guinea.

Ostensibly a fishing village, Elmina has also become a popular tourist destination, owing to it's two main historical attractions, the World Heritage listed former slave castle, São Jorge da Mina (St George Castle), located at the western end of Elmina's crescent-shaped bay, and Fort St Jago, a hilltop fortress located just inland from the bay in the centre of town.

Elmina Bay, photographed from the battlements of St George's Castle (January 2007)

Although the township is locally known as "Edina", the official name is Elmina, from the Portuguese "El Mina" - the mine, as a result of the extensive gold mining that has occured in the region ever since European settlement. Another industry that Elmina is known for is salt production, with a history that dates back around 700 years, with production plants located in the Benya Lagoon, just west of the township.

The inlet at Elmina, with the town, and Fort St Jago in the background (January 2007)

The local population numbers approximately 20,000 people, and the township has many hotels, guesthouses, bars, and eateries. Civil services within the town includes a post office & police station. There is also an historical Dutch cemetery, in addition to the local cemetery. The local Bakatue festival, which commemorates the opening of the Lagoon into the sea, and is identified as the commencement of the fishing season, is celebrated annually in July. Another festival uniquely celebrated in Elmina is 'Edina Buronya', similar to Christmas, and is celebrated on the first Thursday of the New Year.

The façade of St George's Castle, Elmina (January 2007)

Elmina's principle landmark, São Jorge da Mina (St George Castle), is an historic fortress which was constructed by the Portuguese in the 17th century. It was later seized by the Dutch, and both of these trading powers used the fortress in the slave trade, although the castle was originally constructed to protect Portugal's gold interests. The fortress was later purchased by the British in 1872, until Ghana's independence in 1957.

Fort St Jago, Elmina (January 2007)

Fort St Jago is a hilltop fort located in central Elmina, about 1km north of St George's castle.