Gulf of Guinea - Definition and Overview

The gigantic Gulf of Guinea is the part of the Atlantic southwest of Africa. The south coast of western Africa, to north of this gulf was historically called Upper Guinea. The west coast of southern Africa, to the east of this gulf, was historically called Lower Guinea. Today, the name Guinea lives on in the names of three countries: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. It has also given name to New Guinea in Southeast Asia.

Rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea:

• Niger River
• Volta
• Congo River

The coastline on the gulf includes the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Bonny.