British East Africa 15 SURFACE
highland districts, especially in the south -west, but the three great mountain regions — Mount Elgon ( 14,698 or 14,140 ft. ) on the east and Ruwenzori ( 16,795 ft.) and Mfumbiro (14,500 ft. ) on the south west — are all situated actually on the frontiers of the
Protectorate .
The territory may be divided into three regions: ( 1 ) the depression of Victoria Nyanza ; (2 ) the western lakes and highlands; and ( 3) the eastern plains.
( 1 ) The Depression of Victoria Nyanzā .- Victoria Nyanza, the largest of the African lakes, has a total area of about 27,000 square miles. Its maximum length from north to south is about 270 miles, andits maximum breadth from east to west about 225 miles . The northern coast is low and much broken by reed fringed creeks. There are numerous groups of islands, most of which are included in the Uganda Protectorate.
The lake is of great importance as a means of com munication between Uganda, British East Africa, and the former German territories.
: The region of Victoria Nyanza includes the old kingdom of Buganda or the southern parts of the present Buganda province ,and the district of Busoga,
east of the Victoria Nile. The surface consists of alter nate hill and valley, the latter being generallyoccupied by papyrus swampsor dense forest. The whole ofthis region is fertile and well watered, although the rivers are for the most part not running streams but stretches of swamp. There are large tracts of tropical forest in Buddu , on the west side of the lake , in Kiagwe, west of the Victoria Nile , and in Busoga. The rest of the country is well cultivated, save in Busoga, where de
population has caused many districts to revert to bush . The Sese Islands - which consist of one large island, several smaller ones , and a multitude of islets and the island of Buvuma , south of the Nile outlet, share in the general characteristics ofthis region, and contain much dense forest . The inhabitants of the islands have been removed to the mainland, owing to the prevalence of sleeping sickness.
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