Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/89

ABYSSINIA. dependencies of Harrar, Kaffa, and Enarea. Its area is estimated at 150,000 square miles, and its population at 3,500,000.

The surface of Abyssinia is a plateau, with an average altitude of about 8000 feet, and a general depression toward Lake Tzana (q.v.) on the west. Of the numerous mountain chains in this region only a few can be clearly traced. The Samen group, situated at the northern end of the country, and inclosed by the bend of the Takazze, has an average altitude of about 10,000 feet and rises in Ras Dashan, over 15,000 feet above the sea. South of the Samen group is another chain, the Talba Wakha, surrounded by the upper course of the Atbara (q.v.) on its emerging from Lake Tzana. This chain is in- ferior in height to the Samen, its greatest elevation being only about 9000 feet above the sea. The southern part of Abyssinia is less mountainous, but abounds in so-called "ambas," isolated rocky hillocks, most of them very pre- cipitous and difficult of ascent. Although at present it includes no active volcanoes, the coun- try in its entire aspect bears evidence of violent volcanic eruptions in some remote age. Even to-day numerous extinct volcanoes arc to be found, with their craters half obliterated, and there are several hot springs in the vicinity of Mount Entoto, some of them with a temperature of 170 degrees.

Among the rivers the most important are the Abai, or Blue Nile (q.v.), the Atbara, or Black Nile, the Takazze, the main head-stream of the latter, and the Hawash. With the exception of the Abai, none of these rivers is navigable, and all are liable to sudden rises, often accompanied by great disasters. The largest lake is Tzana, called also Dembea.

In regard to climate and flora, the country may be divided into three zones. The first, em- bracing all the districts lying below the altitude of 4800 feet above the sea, and called Kollas, has an annual temperature ranging from 70° to 100° F., and an exceedingly luxuriant vege- tation, including cotton, indigo, bananas, sugar cane, coffee, date palms, and ebony. The second zone, Woina Dega, includes all the country be- tween 4800 and 9000 feet above the sea. It is characterized by a moderate temperature, rang- ing from 60° to 80° F., and its vegetation includes many of the grasses and cereals which flourish in Europe, besides oranges, lemons, olives, tobacco, potatoes, onions, the bamboo, the turpentine tree, etc. The third zone, Dega, which comprises all of the country situated above 9000 feet, has a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees. It affords excellent grazing grounds. and its soil is well adapted for the cultivation of the hardier cereals.

The rainy season on the coast lands lasts from December to May. In the interior of the country there are generally two rainy seasons, one from April to June, and the other from July to October. The climate is generally healthful.

The fauna is not inferior in variety to the flora. It includes, among other animals, the lion, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the giraffe, a species of wolf (the kaberu), the hyena, hippopotamus, zebra, and several forms of antelopes. Consult: Blanford, Geology and Zoölogy of Abyssinia (London, 1870). Among the domestic animals may be mentioned the horse, mule, donkey, camel, ox, sheep, and goat.

Geologically the surface of Abyssinia is composed mainly of sandstone, together with granite, basalt, trachyte, and other varieties of igneous rocks. The minerals include gold, which is found mostly in the streams, and also iron, coal, silver, and rock salt. For further information about the geology of Abyssinia, see and.

Abyssinia is preëminently an agricultural country, and its soil is especially well adapted for the cultivation of cereals. The land is divided not among individuals but among families, and the only title to land is its occu- pation. The agricultural methods employed are of the most primitive kind, a fact which, to- gether with the extortionate practices of the civil and military officials, is not very conducive to the agricultural development of the country. Wheat and barley are the chief grains raised. Different kinds of fruit, such as oranges, lemons, bananas, etc., are found in abundance, but very little attention is paid to their cultivation. Cattle raising is a very important industry in Abyssinia. and wool is one of the chief articles of export. Of manufacturing industries Abys- sinia has practically none. Ancient remains found in several parts of the country bear traces of skill which is hardly to be met with among the modern Abyssinians.

Abyssinians do not, as a rule, engage in foreign trade, which is entirely in the hands of foreign merchants. The trade is not consid- erable, as, until recently, the buying was done almost exclusively by the King and his court. The increased security of life and property, how- ever, which the Abyssinians have been enjoying under King Menelek has prompted an increasing number of them to part with their buried treas- ures of gold and silver in exchange fur all kinds of goods. The total imports in 1899-1900 into the two chief trading centres of the country, Addis Aheba and Harrar, were estimated at about $3,500,000. Great Britain and the United States being the two leading sources, and France and Germany coming next. The leading articles of import are cotton, silk, and arms, the American cotton being preferred to all others. The chief articles of export are coffee, gold, ivory, and skins. Coffee is exported chiefly to Arabia, gold to India. The chief obstacles to trade are the primitive means of communication, resulting in slow and expensive transportation. The dis- tance from Addis Abeba to Harrar, for example, about 250 miles, is traversed in from four to six weeks; the goods are carried on mules' and camels' backs. The railway line between Jibutil, in French Somaliland, and Harrar, which is to be eventually extended to Addis Abeba, will have a total length of about 500 miles, of which about 60 miles were completed and opened for traffic in 1900. This line is constructed en- tirely by French capital, with a political rather than a commercial aim, although it will cer- tainly attract the trade between Abyssinia and the coast, which at present passes through Zeila, in British Sonialiland.

The chief mediums of exchange are the Maria Theresa dollar and a dollar issued by King Menelek. Salt bars of unform size, and cartridges also circulate to some extent in certain parts of the country.

In its form of government Abyssinia may be considered a sort of feudal monarchy. The present King, or Negus, is undoubtedly the real ruler of Abyssinia; but this position be owes more to