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This 1764 map, titled Coste de Guinée Depuis le Cap Apollonia jusqu'à la Riviere de Volta ou La Coste d'Or, was created by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin and is part of his monumental 5 volumen Petit Atlas Maritime, published in Paris.

The map depicts the Guinea Coast, also known as the Gold Coast, stretching from Cape Apollonia to the Volta River. The detailed cartography highlights the region's numerous coastal settlements, rivers, and fortifications, providing a valuable insight into the geography and political landscape of West Africa in the 18th century. The map's annotations and decorative elements, typical of Bellin's meticulous work, enhance its historical significance.

The map lists the following Kingdoms:

• Dinkira
• Assiante
• Agonna
• Aquambo
• Ladingkour
• Commano
• Saboe

 In the 18th century, the Guinea Coast was a focal point of European colonial ambitions and the transatlantic slave trade. European powers, including Portugal, the Netherlands, Britain, and France, established trading posts and forts along the coast to control the lucrative trade in gold, ivory, and slaves. The region was dotted with numerous kingdoms and chiefdoms, each with its own political structures and economic systems.

The Ashanti Empire, noted on the map as the "Roy de l'Assiante," was one of the most powerful and influential states in the region. Established in the late 17th century, the Ashanti Empire expanded its influence through military prowess and strategic alliances, controlling significant portions of present-day Ghana. The empire's capital, Kumasi, became a vital center for trade and culture.

The Kingdom of Denkyira, referred to as "Royaume de Dinkira" on the map, was another prominent state during this period. However, it faced significant conflicts with the rising Ashanti Empire, eventually succumbing to Ashanti dominance in the early 18th century.

European interactions with these African kingdoms were complex and often contentious. While Europeans sought to exploit the region's resources, African rulers engaged in diplomacy and warfare to protect their interests and expand their power. The map's detailed representation of various kingdoms and their locations underscores the fragmented and competitive nature of the political landscape in West Africa during this time.

The 18th century also witnessed the intensification of the transatlantic slave trade. Coastal forts such as Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle became notorious hubs for the capture, holding, and shipment of enslaved Africans to the Americas. This brutal trade had devastating effects on the local populations and significantly altered the socio-economic fabric of the region.

Overall, Bellin's 1764 map of the Guinea Coast provides a snapshot of a vibrant and tumultuous region, characterized by dynamic African kingdoms and their interactions with European colonial powers, set against the backdrop of the transatlantic slave trade.