Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/467

 work of survey was completed by the two De Brazzas, Ballay, Mizon, Rouvier, and others, thanks to whose labours nearly the whole triangular region bounded east and south by the Congo, north by the Gaboon and the equator, is now known in its more salient features, while the numerous positions determined astronomically supply sufficient materials for detailed maps. The Spanish travellers Tradier, Montes de Oca, and Ossorio, have on their part traversed in various directions the whole region stretching north of the Gaboon as far as the Rio del Campo, and penetrated for 120 miles inland. Thus in order to complete- the preliminary survey of the equatorial lands which the European powers have appropriated by

diplomatic conventions, nothing remains except to visit certain north-eastern districts watered by the Congo affluents.

To France has been assigned by far the greater part of this equatorial region, her share including the whole of the Gaboon, Ogoway and Kwilu basins, besides those of the Congo affluents as far as the U-Banghi. Spain adds to the as island of Corisco and the two islets of Elobey a small strip of territory on the mainland, while Portugal retains possession of an enclave limited north by the river Massabi, east and south by conventional straight lines separating it from the new Congo State. The area of this enclave may be roughly estimated at 1,000 square miles, with a population of at least thirty thousand ; but the extent of the