AFRICA.

Amsterdam Island. See MAURITIUS.

ASCENSION ISLAND.

Ascension is a small island of 35 square miles, in the South Atlantic. It is entirely under the control and jurisdiction of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and is used as a coaling, victualling, and store depot for Her Majesty's ships on the West Coast of Africa station. There is an excellent sanitarium up Green Mountain for crews of ships visiting the island, whose health is impaired from service on the coast. The popula tion, which consists entirely of officers, seamen and marines, with their wives and families, and about 50 Kroomen, numbers in all about 240.

The island is the resort of the sea turtle, which comes in thousands to lay their eggs in the sand. Exports from Ascension to Great Britain (1889), 1257.; imports to Ascension, 2,8097. Tender stationed at Ascension, H.M.S. Penelope. Captain in Charge, Captain Richard Evans, R.N.

BASUTOLAND.

Basutoland forms an irregular oval on the north-east of the Cape Colony. The Orange Free State, Natal, and the Cape Colony form its boundaries. Its area is estimated at 9,720 square miles. The territory, which is well watered and has a fine climate, is stated to be the best grainproducing country in South Africa, and the abundant grass enables the Basutos to rear immense herds of cattle. The country is really one continuous elevated plateau, though broken and rugged.

The following statistics are derived from the 1875 census of the Cape Colony, of which Basutoland then formed a part:-Population: European, 469; Native, 127,707. Present estimate (1889), 200,000.

As European settlement is prohibited, the white population will remain more or less limited to the few engaged in trade, government, and missionary work.

Maseru, the capital and largest town, has a population of 600, of whom 30 are Europeans.

Stock, &c.: 35,257 horses, draught cattle 28,626, other 188,791, sheep (wooled) 240,270, other 49,537, goats (Angora) 13,592, other 147,162, pigs 15,237, ploughs 2,770, harrows 269.

The productions are wool, wheat, mealies, and Kaffir corn. There are indications of iron and copper, and coal has been found and is used in some parts, two mines being actively worked for local supply.

Basutoland was annexed to the Cape in August 1871; but it was placed directly under the authority of the Crown from March 13, 1884.

The territory is now governed by a Resident Commissioner under the direction of the High Commissioner for South Africa, the latter possessing the legislative authority, which is exercised by proclamation. For fiscal and other purposes the country is divided into six districts, namely: Maseru, Leribe, Cornet Spruit, Berea, Mafeking, and Quthing. Each of the districts is subdivided into wards, presided over by hereditary chiefs allied to the Moshesh family. The revenue arises from the Cape contribution, the Post Office, native hut tax, and the sale of licences. There are 113 schools (mostly missionary), with 6,442 scholars; grant in aid, 4,3031. There are two small Government schools and some industrial

schools.

There are no navigable waterways, the rivers being low in winter and

generally flooded in summer. The roads in the country are now in good condition for any kind of transport.

The line of postal communication is through the Cape Colony and Orange Free State.

The imports consist chiefly of blankets, ploughs, saddlery, clothing, iron and tin ware, and groceries. The exports consist chiefly of grain, cattle, and wool, and are estimated at about 160,0007. in value. The commercial intercourse is almost exclusively with the Cape Colony and Orange Free State.

The currency is exclusively British, but exchange, and even the pay. ment of taxes, is still largely conducted by barter.

Resident Commissioner.--Colonel Sir Marshall James Clarke (late R.A.), K.C.M.G. (1,5007.)

BECHUANALAND.

The Crown colony of Bechuanaland lies between the South African Republic on the east, Cape Colony on the south, the Molopo River on the west and north, while the protectorate extends over the Kalahari Desert to 21° E. long. and 22° S. lat. An Order in Council, July 4, 1890, places the parts of South Africa situate north of British Bechuanaland, west of the South African Republic and of Matabeleland, east of the German Protectorate, and south of the Zambezi under the jurisdiction of the Governor of British Bechuanaland. The total area is 170,000 square miles, of which 43.000 square miles form the Crown colony, and the estimated population (British Bechuanaland only) 44,135 in 1885. The Crown colony was annexed, and the protectorate declared in 1885. It is under direct Imperial jurisdiction, through the Governor of Cape Colony, who is also Governor of British Bechuanaland, where he is represented by an administrator. country is stated to be well adapted for cattle and for maize; gold, lead, silver, and iron have been found. The climate is healthy. The country is generally from 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea-level. The chief industry is agriculture, the products being raised for local consumption. Tobacco is being cultivated; maize, wool, hides, cattle, and wood are exported. A telegraph extends to Mafeking, the chief emporium in the colony, from Cape Town, and is being continued northwards through the protectorate. There is a well-trained force of Border police, numbering 500, of whom 400 patrol the protectorate. Actual revenue for 1888-89, 15,7507.

The

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A tax of 10s. per annum is levied on every native hut. The seat of administration is at Vryburg, in Stellaland, a settlement originally formed by the Boers on the border of the Transvaal. There are good roads. There is a weekly post to Cape Colony and Matabeleland. The chiefs of the protectorate are Khama, at Palachwe, chief of the Bamangwato; Batwen, at Kanya, chief of the Bangwaketsi; Lenchive, at Mochudi, chief of the Bakhatla; Sechele, at Molopolole, chief of the Bakuenas; Tkaneng, at Ramontsa, chief of the Bamaliti (under Batwen), with whom is an assistant commissioner. There are resident magistrates at Vryburg, Mafeking, Taungs, Kuruman, and Gordonia.

Administrator and Chief Magistrate.-Sir Sidney G. A. Shippard, K.C.M.G. (1,8007.)

Bechuanaland. Commission and Instructions to Major-General Sir Charles Warren, K.C.M.G., as Special Commissioner to Bechuanaland. London, 1884.

Berbera. See under ADEN.

BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

The strip of the Zanzibar coast extending from the northern limit of German influence on the right bank of the Umbe to the Ozi River, including Kau and Kipini, was in 1888 ceded by the Sultan for fifty years to the British East Africa Company. By a second concession, granted in 1889, the Sultan ceded to the company all his towns and possessions north of Kipini, all the islands on the coast and in Manda Bay, and the ports of Kismayu, Brava, Merka, Magadisho, Warsheik, and Maroti. The total length of coast is about 700 miles.

By an agreement with the Italians, the ports of Brava, Merka, Magadisho, Warsheik, and Maroti were transferred to the Royal Italian Government, with the consent of the Sultan of Zanzibar.

The Company's territory actually extends to Kismayu, at the mouth of the Jub River. By the Anglo-German Agreements of November 1, 1884 and July 1, 1890, the southern boundary of British East Africa extends in a north-west direction from the north bank of the mouth of the river Umba, going round by the north of Kilimanjaro, to where the 1st parallel of N. latitude reaches Lake Victoria. Thence across the lake and westwards in the same parallel to the boundary of the Congo Free State, deflecting southwards to include Mount Mfumbiro. To the north, the British sphere is bounded by a line commencing on the N. bank of the river Jub; thence it ascends that bank of the river to 8° N. latitude, and is conterminous with the sphere of Italian influence in Gallaland and Abyssinia as far as the confines of Egypt. To the west it is bounded by the Congo Free State and the western watershed of the basin of the Upper Nile. This includes Witu and all the German claims on the coast to the north, and the islands of Patta and Manda. It includes Uganda, Usogu, Unyoro, Ankori, Mporaro, Koko, part of Ruanda, the Equatorial Province (Emin Pasha's), part of Kordofan and Darfur, and a large part of Somaliland. The total area thus embraced probably extends to over 1,000,000 square miles. Treaties have been made with the native chiefs between the coast and the lake, and also with the King of Uganda and chiefs on the west side of the lake.

The company holds a royal charter, dated September 3, 1888, and it

has now organised the administration of its territory on the lines of the East India Company. The company's capital is 2,000,000l. sterling, of which 1,000,000l. was offered to the public.

The chief ports are Wanga, Mombasa, Malindi, Mabrui, Lamu, and Kismayu.

The customs revenue realised in 1888 $36,000; in 1889 it was $56,000, a gain of over 50 per cent. for the first year of the British Company administration. In 1890 it is estimated at $96,000 for the southern ports alone. The revenue of the northern ports is also increasing rapidly. Trade is rapidly developing. The fine harbour of Mombasa is being much improved by the construction of piers and jetties, beacons, mooring buoys, and lights.

The principal exports are cloves, sesame seed, ivory, gum, copra, coir, orchella weed, hides, &c. The imports are Manchester goods, iron and copper wire, beads, &c. Trade is at present principally in the bands of East Indian merchants (Banians).

A new town is being built at Mombasa, and the appearance of the place has been greatly improved. A large body of Indian sappers and miners assist in carrying out these improvements.

The Eastern Telegraph Company has recently connected Mombasa by submarine cable with Zanzibar, and the East Africa Company is constructing a telegraph line connecting the Company's coast ports and some of the inland stations with Mombasa. A survey is being made for the construction of a line of railway 450 miles long from the coast at Mombasa to Lake Victoria Nyanza, by means of which the vast resources of the densely populated interior will be opened up to trade. The construction of the railway has been already commenced by a number of coolies from Bombay, and the natives of the country are now flocking to the work.

The company has a large armed force, consisting of 200 Soudanese, many of whom served with Emin Pasha, 200 Indian Sikhs, and a large body of local levies, all officered by English army officers. A line of forts is being constructed along the route to be followed by the railway, at which supplies will be stored. Roads are also being cleared along the principal trade routes.

Slavery is being gradually abolished, and the native chiefs and people are settling down to husbandry and other peaceful pursuits under the Company's firm and just rule. They now recognise the Company as their lawful ruler.

The country is being peaceably opened up by exploring caravans carrying trade goods. An expedition has penetrated recently to the Victoria Nyanza, where it has met with a very friendly reception from the natives and made treaties with them. The most advanced permanent posts occupied by Europeans are situated at Machakos, 250 miles inland, on a healthy salubrious plateau, at an elevation of 7,000 feet, and Mengo, the capital of the kingdom of Uganda. Other expeditions are going up to reinforce the Company's resident agent in Uganda. The sources of the River Tana have been explored, and the waters of this fine stream, navigable inland for a distance of over 200 miles, will shortly float some stern-wheel steamers, which are being sent out from the Clyde.

The seat of government is at Mombasa. The chief administrator of the Government is Major-General Sir F. de Winton, K.C.M.G.

President of the Company.-Sir William Mackinnon, Bart.

The principal Great Lake States included in the British sphere are as

follows:

RUANDA (UNYAVINGI).—Ruanda, a powerful Bantu State in East Equatorial Africa, was till recently governed by a queen, who has now been succeeded by her son, Kigeri. It is conterminous on the east with Ankori and Karagwe, and stretches westwards to Ulegga (Uregga) between 29° 31° E. and 0° 30′-2° S., thus lying mainly between the Alexandra Nile and the Congo-Nile water-parting. Ruanda is known to the surrounding peoples by the name of Unyavingi, and is reported by them to be inhabited by a very warlike nation, no country, not even Uganda itself, equalling it in numbers. The land is stated to abound in minerals, hot springs, and valuable timber covering all the slopes of Mount Mfumbiro (10,000 feet). Ruanda appears to be a very fertile, well-watered, and healthy region, standing at a mean elevation of about 3,500 feet above sea level. The line of demarcation between the British and German spheres of influence, as laid down by the Anglo-German Convention of July 1, 1890, intersects this territory, assigning the northern part as far as Mount Mfumbiro inclusive, to Great Britain, the southern to Germany. Westwards both spheres are conterminous with the Congo Free State about 30° E. longitude.

UGANDA.-Uganda, properly Buganda, is the largest and most powerful of the East African equatorial States that were formed after the dismemberment of the former Empire of Kitwara. It occupies nearly the whole of the coastlands along the north and north-west sides of Lake Victoria Nyanza; total area of Uganda proper is about 20,000 square miles, whilst the whole kingdom, including Usoga and other vassal States beyond the Somerset Nile, exceeds 70,000 square miles. The bulk of the population, estimated altogether at from nearly three to five millions, are of Bantu negroid stock; but the political power belongs to the Wa-Huma conquerors originally from Gallaland, the mythical founder of the royal dynasty being Kintu, a Galla herdsman. From Kintu, through Kamanya and his son Suna, was descended the late King Mtesa (properly Mutesa). At his death in October 1884 he was succeeded by his son Mwanga, who was expelled in October 1888, when the throne was occupied by Kiwewa, Matesa's eldest son. Kiwewa, refusing to accept Islam, was soon after himself dethroned and succeeded by his younger brother Kalema. But Mwanga was restored in 1889 by the help of English traders and missionaries, has adopted the Christian religion, and placed himself under British protection, Kalema died an exile in

1890.

The sovereign, who bears the official title of Kabakawa Buganda (Emperor of Uganda) and Overlord of Unyoro, Buzongora, Karagwe, Buzinza, Usoga, &c. &c. is theoretically an autocrat, but his power is restricted by custom and by the Lukiko, a sort of Privy Council, composed of the Katikiro (chief judge) and the Aba-Saza (great chiefs), who, however, are all appointed by the King himself. The territorial lords are hereditary feudal chiefs, enjoying almost royal privileges. The revenue is collected by the Basolonzi, or tax-gatherers, chiefly in the form of brass and copper wire, bark cloth, and cowrie shells.

The people supply ivory, slaves, tobacco, cattle, goats, and other native produce to the Arab traders, in exchange for firearms, ammunition, woven fabrics, glass-ware, slippers, the fez, and other manufactured goods. The chief caravan routes run from Nabulagala to M'ruli, the great market on the Somerset Nile, and from the south end of Lake Victoria to Zanzibar. The capital, which was at Banda in 1862, has since then been shifted, with the royal caprice, to Rubaga, Nabulagala, and Mengo, the present royal residence.

UNYORO.-Kabba Regga, the presentsovereign of Unyoro, bears the official title of King of Kitwara,' being the direct representative and lineal descendant