Africa is a distant and mysterious continent that has recently revealed its secrets to Europeans. A few centuries ago, there were not even detailed maps depicting hot exotic countries located on the African mainland. The history of the study of the continent is filled with interesting cases and unusual details that deserve attention. For their understanding, a table can be drawn up (the study of Africa was carried out in different areas). So it will be possible to get a general idea of \u200b\u200bwho studied the continent, and we will consider their research in more detail.
| Territory | Who studied? |
| East Africa |
Charles Jacques Ponce James Bruce |
| White Nile Valley | William George Brown |
| West Africa |
Bartholomew Stibs Andre Bru |
| Niger Valley | Mungo Park |
| Angola | Giovanni Antonio Cavazzi |
| South Africa |
August Frederic Beutler Jan Dantkart Jakob Coetze |
| Madagascar | Etienne Flacourt |
| Central Africa | Egor Kovalevsky |
Travel East Africa
In the seventeenth century, Europeans did not have all the necessary geographical information. Studies in Africa have mainly concerned only the Mediterranean countries. Therefore, many scientists sought to the continent for further information. At the end of the seventeenth century, a French physician named Charles Jacques Ponce connected Ethiopia with the Mediterranean Sea (before the Portuguese traveled there only along the Red). Having joined the Jesuit mission, the scientist climbed the Nile, passed through the Nubian desert and ended up in the capital of the country, where he cured the sick sovereign Iyasu the First. His further journey was directed to the Red Sea, along which he made the usual Portuguese campaign to Lower Egypt, from there returning to France.
The next scientist who began to study Africa was the Scot James Bruce. Interestingly, he was a doctor, like Ponce. He studied the route from Alexandria to Ethiopia, traveled with a caravan through the Arabian Desert, visited the northern shores of the Red Sea, documenting the coastline. During his medical practice, he also visited Lake Tana. His personal history of the discovery of Africa is set forth in the book Travels to Discover the Sources of the Nile in 1768-1773, which was published in 1790. The appearance of this work attracted the attention of geographers to the continent and became the starting point for a number of new studies.
Exploring the White Nile
The left bank of Bahr el Abyadfor a long time it was a "mysterious country" for Europeans. The White Nile was connected to Ethiopia by many trade routes. The first European to walk one of them was the Englishman William George Brown. He wanted to explore Darfur, but the ruler of the country forbade him to do so. In the capital called El Fasher, the archaeologist had to spend three years until the Sultan allowed him to return to Egypt. Despite such limitations for African exploration, Brown collected a lot of data for a valuable report. Until the twenties of the nineteenth century, his description of Darfur, located in the territory of modern Sudan, was the only one.
West Africa
Until the eighteenth century, only the part surrounding the Gambia river basin was known to Europeans. The geographical position and exploration of Africa became the subject of interest of the Englishman Bartholomew Stibs, who in 1723 traveled 500 kilometers further than previously explored territories and reached the Futa Djallon mountain range. He established that the Gambia is not connected with Niger and begins somewhere nearby. In the wake of his travels, the English officers Smith and Leach mapped and plotted the exact coordinates of the river in 1732. The French also made a significant contribution. Their exploration of Africa concerned the Senegal basin, the course of which they studied in detail as colonizers. André Bru, who was the director of a trading company, stood out in particular. He studied the Atlantic coast and became the first of the Europeans who began to strive to penetrate into the interior of the mainland forfounding colonies. His reports were processed by the missionary Jean Baptiste Laba, who wrote the book A New Description of West Africa based on them. The work was published in 1728 and became an important source of information about the area.
The Birth of the African Association
Many interior regions of the continent remained unexplored even in the second half of the eighteenth century. In order to continue the exploration of Africa, the Joseph Banks Association was founded. She had several problems to solve. First, it was necessary to find the sources of the White Nile. Secondly, the exact coordinates of the Niger River were unknown. Thirdly, the Congo and Zambezi were just as unexplored. Finally, it was worthwhile to study the tributaries of major African rivers to discover possible connections. The most important thing was to deal with the territory around Niger. Therefore, the African Association sent several expeditions there. All attempts ended in the death of travelers or simply did not lead to anything.
Scottman Mungo Park was invited for research. He traveled east on horseback, accompanied by African servants. The success of his expedition Mungo owes to the idea of \u200b\u200bgoing through territories that did not yet belong to the Muslims. So he managed to reach Niger. Returning to England, he published the book "Journey into Africa in 1795-1797", but some parts remained unknown to him.
Portuguese contribution
The list of people who have explored the mainland includes people fromdifferent countries. The study of Africa was also carried out by the Portuguese. Their efforts mapped the basins of the Congo, Kwa and Kwango rivers. In addition, it was the Portuguese who explored the cities of Angola - Benguela and Luanda. Engaged in research and preachers-Capuchins. They were allowed to travel by the Portuguese king. One of the Capuchins, the Italian Giovanni Antonio Cavazzi, studied the whole of Angola, after which he published the most reliable notes. No less successfully, the Portuguese explored the Zambezi basin, where gold seekers worked. Their maps gave a good idea of this part of the continent.
South of the continent
The history of the discovery and exploration of Africa in the area of the Cape of Good Hope is connected with the Dutch. There they founded the settlement now known as Cape Town. From there, the main expeditions went to the deep regions of the continent. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Dutch had succeeded in mapping all the maritime areas. Especially outstanding was the expedition of August Frederick Beutler, who reached the Great Cay River. The Olifants River was discovered by Jan Dantkart, and the Orange River was discovered by Jacob Coetze. To the north, the Dutch discovered the previously unknown Great Namkawaland plateau, but the heat prevented them from advancing further.
Madagascar
The history of African exploration would be incomplete without exploring this island. The French opened it. Étienne Flacourt made several successful expeditions in the interior of the island, and in 1658 he published The History of the Great Island of Madagascar, wheredescribed in detail everything previously studied. This is the most important document, which is still considered very significant. As a result of the expeditions, the French managed to establish dominance on the island, and Madagascar became an official colony.
Russian contribution
Many countries sent expeditions to the mysterious continent. The Russian Empire was no exception. The exploration of Africa by Russian travelers was associated with different territories. The central regions were studied by Kovalevsky, invited to excavate gold mines by the ruler of Egypt. He was in Cairo, the Nubian desert, Berbera and Khartoum, explored the Tumat basin and reached its headwaters, becoming the first European to go so far. Another famous scientist was Tsenkovsky, who studied the Nile Valley. He brought to Russia an amazing collection of natural science exhibits. Africa also fascinated the famous Miklouho-Maclay, who studied the Sudan and Eritrea, while simultaneously conducting zoological research. Finally, it is worth mentioning Juncker and his travels in the equatorial part. He lived for several years in wild tribes and obtained information about the locals that the history of African exploration has not known before or since.
