Darfur

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a province of central Africa, one of the divisions of the Sudan or "Land of the Blacks," situated approximately in 10° to 16° N. lat., and in 22° to 28° E. lon.; but its limits are not clearly defined. It is hilly in parts, and traversed by a mountainous ridge called Marra, which is the source of numerous streams. Toward the N. it is level, sandy, and almost destitute of water. During the rainy season (June-September) it exhibits a rich vegetation. The principal products produ are wheat, millet, rice, maize, and sesame. Tobacco, which is used by the natives in every form, abounds. Watermelons, also, are abundant during the rainy season. Among the fruits are tamarinds and dates. The chief minerals are copper and iron. The wealth of the inhabitants consists principally in cattle. Horses, sheep, camels, and game abound. Darfur carries on a considerable trade with Egypt, Mecca, and the inland countries of Africa; it was a notorious center of the slave trade. The Fulbes are an intelligent, well-built race, and have long been Mohammedans; their numbers are variously estimated at from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Kobbe is the chief trading town. In 1900 Darfur and Kordofan were within the sphere of British influence, by an agreement between Great Britain, Germany, and Italy. See BRIT- ISH EAST AFRICA. COMTE D'ARGENSON ( där - zhon, - MARC son '), a statesman son of the; born Marquis in 1696 d'Argenson; the 1721), who created the ( established the lettres de secret cachet police. . GULF OF SAROS DARDANELLES SEDD-EL-BAHR came war minister in 1743, at a time when the very political existence of France was imperiled, and by his vigor and lucky choice of generals changed the fortunes of the war. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748), he devoted himself to the impr improvement of the military system, and in 1751 established the École