AFRICA

most southerly and second largest continent of Old World, extends from 37° 20’ N. to 34° 51’ 8., and from 51° 24’ BE. to 17° 30’ W.; greatest lengt approaches Europe at Strait of Gibraltar in N.W., and touches Asia at Isthmus of Suez in N.E. Off S.E. coast is larga island Madagascar; Canaries off N.W. coast; coast-line singularly unbroken— length about 16,000 m.; principal inle' Gulfs of Cabes and Sidra on N., Gulf o Guinea with Bights of Benin and Biafra on W. Land rises rapidly from coast; from fairly continuous outer rim 0; mountains greater part of surface spreads inwards in two tablelands, of which the southern has mean elevation of over 3,500 ft. and slopes down to northern, which has mean height of c. 1,300 ft.; latter in some parts falls still lower, part of N.E. Sahara being below sea-level. Higher plateau has number of ridges, and in equatorial regions are many craters of extinct volcanoes. such as, (18,500). Chief mt. ranges near coast are Atlas on N. and Drakensberg on §.E. Along eastern part of plateau are many large lakes; Rudolf, Albert, Albert Edward, Victoria, Tanganyika, Moero, Bangweolo, Nyasa. N.E. is drained by Nile and tribs., principal W. coast rivers, Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Niger, Benue, Czowa, Congo, Kwanza, Kumene, Orange, Vaal. Rainfall is slight except near equator, and parts of coast; rainiest region, W, of Mt. Kamerun; interior exposed te dry winds, known variously as strocco, khamsin, haimattan; tropical districts unhealthy. ‘dypical flora; date palm in Sahara; mangrove on coast; india rubber trees, copper plants; many orchids, sVJSIAG) Peery wong aig “)yy uesdODg_ skivoviugta ‘KEV vara Na0ev LIIIR Opepezy nS FA IMG:map056.jpg: IMG:map057.jpg: