The main gold-production regions of the world are in the republic of south Africa, Ghana, southern Rhodesia, the soviet union, Canada the united states, Australia, Columbia and the Philippines. Many wars of ancient times were fought principally to secure gold as loot. Alexander the great brought back vast quantities of gold from his Persian expeditions. During the middle ages alchemists sought the philosopher’s stone which would turn base metals into gold. Exploration was stimulated by the search for the metal. The promise of it form the Indies helped Columbus to get support for his expedition. Spanish gold from Mexico and Peru greatly increased the stock held in Europe.