Lt.-Col. A. E. Turner, late R.A. Mr. R. Türstig, Photographer, Omdurman. Mr. J. Ward, F.S.A. Maj. E. B. Wilkinson, Governor of Kassala. Capt. H. H. Wilson, Inspector, Sobat. Maj.-Gen. Sir F. R. Wingate, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., Sirdar and Governor-General, Sudan. [Footnote 1: Except part of Chapter II and most of Chapter III (taken from “Report on Egyptian Provinces of Sudan,” I.D.W.O., 1884).] [Footnote 2: Not printed here, but text may be found in Hertslet’s “Map of Africa by Treaty,” 1896 Edition, pp. 20 to 47, and pp. 48 to 106 respectively.] [Footnote 3: Including those whose works or reports have been utilised.] [Illustration: THE PALACE, KHARTOUM (LOW NILE).] =PART I.= * * * * * CHAPTER I. * * * * * GENERAL DESCRIPTION. [Sidenote: Boundaries.] The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan comprises that country which is bounded on the north by the 22nd parallel of north latitude; on the east by the Red Sea, Eritrea, and Abyssinia; on the west and south-west by a line running through the Libyan Desert (defined by the Anglo-French Agreement of March, 1899), by the Sultanate of Wadai, and by the line of rising ground forming the watershed between the Congo and Shari on one side, and the Nile on the other; and on the south by the Lado Enclave[4] and east of the Nile, the 5th parallel of north latitude. The greatest length from north to south is about 1,250 miles, and from east to west about 1,080 miles. (_Vide_ Appendix A for text of Frontier treaties.) [Sidenote: Area and population.] The estimated area of the territory is about 1,006,000 square miles, and the population about 2,000,000. For distribution of population _vide_ Appendix F., p. 322. [Sidenote: Capital and main towns.] The capital and seat of Government of the country is Khartoum, situated at the junction of the White and Blue Niles (lat. 15° 36′, long. 32° 32′), and distant, as the crow flies, about 1,250 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. (For description _see_ Chap. II, p. 49.) The other chief towns of the country are Khartoum North (formerly termed Halfaya) and Omdurman (close to Khartoum), Halfa, Merowe, Berber, Wad Medani, Kassala, Suakin, Dueim, and El Obeid. (Detailed descriptions will be found in the various chapters dealing with them.) ADMINISTRATION. The Sudan is administered by a Governor-General (who is at present also Sirdar of the Egyptian Army) and under him by Mudirs (governors of provinces), assisted by inspectors and deputy inspectors[5] (British: military and civilian), and by Mamurs (Egyptian or Native officers).