From Khartum, where the Blue and the White Nile come together, navigable waterways extend into Abyssinia and the rich lands of the water¬ shed of the Belgian Congo, while to the north flows the main stream of the Nile.

Founded only one hundred years ago, Khartum rapidly became a slavetrade centre but was utterly wiped out by the Mahdists who killed Gordon.

Not until Kitchener came was the city built anew on modern plans.