To bring this 3D visualization of Ghana’s landscape to life, I combined several geospatial datasets and tools:
NASA Digital Elevation Model (DEM):I downloaded and processed NASA’s global DEM to generate a realistic 3D terrain surface. This formed the foundation of the entire visualization.
Hillshade Rendering in QGIS:Using QGIS’s 3D Map View and hillshade tools, I simulated light and shadow to highlight elevation differences across the country—mountains, plains, plateaus, and escarpments.
Hydrology Layers – Lake Volta & Major Rivers:I incorporated vector datasets for Lake Volta and Ghana’s major river systems to show how water bodies interact with the terrain. This added both context and storytelling depth.
Symbology & Styling:Careful styling went into blending elevation, water features, and shadows in a clear and visually appealing way. I adjusted color ramps, transparency, and lighting angles to achieve a natural look.
Data Integration & Cleanup:I aligned and cleaned all spatial layers to ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper projection across the dataset.
3D Scene Exploration:Once complete, I explored different camera angles, perspective heights, and lighting settings in the QGIS 3D View to capture a compelling representation of Ghana’s physical landscape.


