MOMBASA

[s. 516] : A town and seaport, and capital of British East Africa, situated on the N. side of a small island, 3 miles long and 2 miles from the mainland. The island is mentioned as early as 1331 and was visited by Vasco da Gama in 1497. It was occupied by the Portuguese in 1529. It has a considerable trade in ivory, gums, and produce. Population, 15,000. Station of the (1844), with (1903) 4 mi ionaries, 2 of them with their wives; 5 women mi ionaries, 7 native workers, 3 outstations, 137 profe ed Christians, 1 place of worship, 3 day schools, 1 dispensary, and 1 hospital. ch094.xhtml c 516