The Ashanti Empire is one of a series of kingdoms along the coast including Dahomey, Benin, and Oyo.

All of these states are based on trade, especially gold, ivory, and slaves, which were sold to first Portuguese and later Dutch and British traders.

The region also has dense populations and large agricultural surpluses, allowing the creation of substantial urban centres.

By 1874, the Ashanti control over 100,000 square kilometers while ruling approximately 3 million people