known.

Much of it is yet unexplored and large tracts are either deserts, or inhabited by rude uncivilized tribes. Hence only a portion of it is known to be divided into settled states. The following is a list of the chief countries and districts :

Barbary States::

Morocco, Capital Fez.

Algeria,

Algiers.

Barbary is a name given to various states lying along the northern coast of Africa, from the shores of the Atlantic to Egypt. The Atlas range traverses this region through the greater part of its extent from east to west, and protects the northern portion from the hot winds of the Sahara. Most of the fertile land lies between that range and the Mediterranean. This portion of Barbary is called The Tell.

The rivers are short; most of them flow into the Mediterranean Sea. Some of these are dry in summer. Other streams flow south from the Atlas Mountains, and lose themselves in the Great Desert.

The inhabitants are mostly Berbers (from whom the district has obtained the name of Barbary), Moors and Arabs. There are some French colonists in Algeria. Jews are numerous. Many Negroes and a few Turks form part of the population. The inhabitants were formerly addicted to piracy.

This region now consists of four distinct states:-Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli.

(1) MOROCCO.

This is the most westerly of the Barbary States. It extends along the shores of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Its area is about 260,000 square miles.

The

It is divided into two parts by the Atlas Mountains. northern portion, between the mountains and the Mediterranean, is very fertile, producing almonds, dates, figs, lemons, oranges, pomegranates, and other fruits; wheat, barley, maize. Sheep and goats are reared; wool is exported.

Minerals are abundant. Iron, copper, lead, tin, antimony are found.

There are some manufactures. The principal is Morocco leather, made from the skin of the goats.

The chief imports are manufactured goods; woollen, cotton, linen, etc.

The chief exports are wool, fruits, hides, leather, maize, oil, cattle.

The population is about 6,500,000. populous of the Barbary States.

Morocco is the most

Morocco consists principally of the old kingdoms of Fez and Morocco. It is now ruled by a Sultan, who resides at Fez.

CHIEF TOWNS.

Fez, population nearly 100,000. Capital, and residence of the sultan. Chief seat of Morocco leather manufacture. Morocco, population 70,000. Ancient capital. Formerly a celebrated Mahometan city. Contains fine mosques and splendid ruins.

Chief port, exporting the

Mogador, on the Atlantic Ocean.

produce of North Africa, brought by caravan.

Mequinez, a large town in the interior, with considerable trade. Tangier, opposite Gibraltar. Considerable trade with Gibraltar in supplying the garrison of the latter with cattle and other provisions. Formerly a famous piratical station.

Sallee, a port on the Atlantic, formerly a great rendezvous of the Moorish pirates.

Ceuta, opposite Gibraltar, belonging to Spain.

(2) ALGERIA.

Bounded by the Mediterranean on the north, Morocco on the west, the Sahara on the south, and Tunis on the east.

Its area is about 150,000 square miles. It is now a French possession.

Like Morocco, it is divided into a northern region (The Tell) and a southern region by the Atlas Mountains. The former is fertile, producing fruits and timber. Corn and tobacco are

grown; sheep and cattle are reared.

Iron, copper, and other minerals are found. The manufactures are unimportant.

The imports are chiefly manufactured goods (woollen, cotton, silk), and sugar and other colonial produce.

The exports are skins, wheat, wool, oil, coral, tobacco.

The population is about 3,000,000, of whom about 200,000 are French colonists.

The French took the city of Algiers in 1827, and after a long war, in which they were stubbornly resisted, by the famous Abdel-Kader for many years, gained possession of the whole territory. CHIEF TOWNS.

Algiers, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Population, 80,000. Capital of Algeria. Contains a large French population, who have improved the general given it a more modern appearance. fleet under Lord Exmouth in 1816. Captured by the French in 1827.

aspect of the city, and Bombarded by English (See English History.)

Oran, a seaport on the Mediterranean.
Constantine, an important inland town.

(3) TUNIS.

Bounded by the Mediterranean on the north, Algeria on the west, the Sahara on the south, and Tripoli and the Mediterranean on the east.

Its area is about 50,000 square miles.

It contains a great deal of fertile land which produces fruits and corn.

There are some minerals; as, silver, copper, lead, but they are not much worked.

The manufactures are somewhat important; silk and woollen goods, as shawls, carpets; leather, etc.

The chief imports are cotton and other manufactured goods, and colonial produce.

The chief exports are corn, olive oil; ivory, ostrich feathers, and other articles brought by caravans from Central Africa. The population is about 2,000,000.

Tunis is governed by the Bey, who is nominally subject to the Sultan of Turkey.

CHIEF TOWNS.

Popu

Tunis, on a bay connected with the Mediterranean. lation, about 130,000, including many Jews. Capital of Tunis. Largest city in the Barbary States. Manufactures of silk and other goods, and great trade. At about ten miles distance is the site of the ancient city of Carthage.

Kairwan, a large town in the interior, with considerable caravan trade.

(4) TRIPOLI.

Bounded by the Mediterranean on the north, Tunis and the Sahara on the west, the Sahara on the south, and Egypt on the east.

Its area is about 350,000 square miles.

It comprises the three states of Tripoli, Barca, and Fezzan. Tripoli and Barca extend along the coast of the Mediterranean;

Fezzan is a large oasis stretching far south into the Great African Desert.

The surface is generally flat. The most hilly portion is in Tripoli. The soil is not fertile. Barca is almost entirely desert. There is little rain in either of the states, and the vegetable productions are unimportant. Some corn and fruits are grown.

The trade consists chiefly in the import of manufactured goods and the export of ivory and other articles brought by caravans from the interior of Africa.

The population is estimated at 1,200,000.

The country is governed by a Pacha, who is subject to the Sultan of Turkey.

CHIEF TOWNS.

Tripoli, population 25,000. Capital of Tripoli. A port on the Mediterranean, with considerable trade.

Mourzouk, capital of Fezzan, and great centre of caravan trade. Benghazi, a port on the Mediterranean, and capital of Barca. Grennah, on the coast. Contains the ruins of the ancient

SURFACE. The greater part of the country is desert. The valley of the Nile, extending for a few miles on each side of that river, is almost the only portion which can be cultivated. This valley is bounded on each side by a chain of hills.

RIVERS. The only river in Egypt is the Nile, which forms the chief feature of the country, and alone prevents Egypt from