Facts about Bolgatanga have all the information about this beautiful town of Ghana and will surely make your Bolgatanga Travel a convenient one. Bolgatanga, colloquially known as Bolga, is the capital of the Bolgatanga Municipal District and the Upper East Region of Ghana. Bolga is regarded as a major town between Tamale, 161 km to the south and the border. One of the important Facts about Bolgatanga is that it has a population of about 50,000.
The Upper East Region is bounded by the Republic of Burkina Faso, 45 km to the north, and the Republic of Togo, about 30 km to the east. Bolga is situated in the Red Volta River Valley which is a major migration route of elephants. The White Volta River and the cliffs of the Gambaga Escarpment lie to the south of the city.
History has it that Bolgatanga was situated at the southern terminus of the ancient Trans-Saharan trade route. The eastern route was through Northern Nigeria, merging with the Sahelian route from Mali via Burkina Faso, near Bolgatanga. Handicrafts, especially straw baskets, hats and fans, leather goods, metal jewellery and regional dresses called "Fugu", were exchanged along the route for kola nuts and salt.
Facts about Bolgatanga have it that Bolgatanga is the major city of the Gurene people. When the early Europeans arrived in Bolga, the villagers greeted them warmly with the words 'Ya Farafara' meaning 'welcome' in the native language. These Europeans, without a knowledge of Gurene, referred to these people of the region by the word "Frafra". Thus the people of Bolga cameto be known as the Frafra people.
One of the most significant Facts about Bolgatanga is that this town, with a large central market, is known today as the crafts center of the northern Ghana. Apart from the other items, the well known "Bolga hats" are made and sold here. Bolgatanga and its surrounding villages are the largest producers of leather works, straw baskets and smocks in the country. The works of the artists are sold at the Bolgatanga Market which is open every third day. You will also find a museum in the town which houses objects of historical importance of the region.
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