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Country of eastern Africa, south of the Soudan, containing an area of nearly 200,000 sq. miles. Its surface is much diversified, consisting of high mountain ranges 12,000 to 13,000 ft. above sea, and elevated table lands 6,000 to 10,000 ft. high, among which are numerous deep valleys. It is drained mainly by the Blue Nile and other branches of that river. The inhabitants are of various races, but mainly Caucasian, nominally Christian, and in manners are rude and barbarous. The government is a hereditary monarchy. Pop. 3,000,000 to 4,000,000. The kings claim descent from the Queen of Sheba. Christianity was introduced ab. 350; monks came in numbers ab. 470. In consequence of the search for PRESTER JOHN (q.v.), the Portuguese began mi ions here ab. 1490. The Mohammedans overran the country 1528-40, and the aid of Portugal was Acacia arabica. produce gum arabic by spontaneous exudation. Catechu or cutch is an extract prepared from A. catechu . Acacia, FALSE. See LOCUST. IMG:content-0030.jpg:[blocks in formation]