Lake Volta, Ghana - MERIS - 12 February 2003

This MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) image centres over Lake Volta in Ghana. The lake which has an area of 8,482 sq km, formed by the Akosombo Dam is one of the largest artificially created lakes in the world.

Noticeable on the image is the contrast between the more vegetated Kwahu Plateau in the southeast in green, to the more sparse lower areas to the north. On the plateau the road networks leading to and from the city of Kumasi can clearly be seen. An interesting feature to the southwest of the city is a circular lake; this is in fact the Bosumtwi Meteorite Crater.

On the south coast of the country we can also see the country's capital and largest city Accra with nearly 1 million inhabitants.

Technical Information:
Instrument: MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS)
Date of Acquisition: 12th February 2003
Orbit number: 04986
Instrument features: Full Resolution image (300 - metre resolution)
Coordinates:
NE Lat/Long: N 10.30 / E 1.68
NW Lat/Long: N 11.48 / W 3.51
SW Lat/Long: N 5.64 / W 4.81
SE Lat/Long: N 4.48 / E 0.31