Soudan

(The.) (soo-dan',) or NIGRITIA, an immenso region of N. Central Africa, the limits of which are ill-defined. It is b. N. by the Great Desert, E.by Darfoor, Kordofan, and the Shellook Country. S. by Æthio pia and Upper Guinea, and W. by Sene gambia. Area, estim. at 2,500,000 sq. m. Surface generally level, except on the S.W., where the Kong Mts. attain an altitude of 4,000ft. It is watered by the Niger and its tributaries, and contains Lake Tchad or Tchadda. The soil is rich, and yields wheat, rice, maize, cotton, tobacco, and indigo. Gold-dust, iron-ore, ivory, and ostrich-feathers constitute the chief exports. The S. has been considered to be the original country of the negro race, and is divided into many petty states, the principal of which are Bambarra, Bornou, Hou a, and the Fellah Country. Pop. estim. at 35,000,000. [s. 839]