JOHN LEO HIS FIRST BOOK OF THE DESCRIPTION OF AFRICA

Summary

Why this part of the worlde was named Africa

Africa is called in the Arabian toong Iphrichia, of the word Faraca, which signifieth in the said language, to diuide: but why it should be so called, there are two opinions; the first is this: namely, because this part of the worlde is diuided from Europa by the Mediterran sea, and from Asia by the it from riuer Nilus. Others are of opinion, that this name Africa was deriued from one Ifricus the king of Arabia Fœlix, who is saide to haue beene the first that euer inhabited these partes. This Ifricus waging warre against the king of Assyria, and being at length by him driuen out of his kingdome, passed with his whole aimie ouer Nilus, and so conducting his troupes westward, made no delay till he was come vnto the region lying about Carthage. Hence it is that the Arabians do imagine the countrie about Carthage onely, and the regions lying westward thereof, to comprehende all Africa.

The borders of Africa

Africa (if we may giue credite vnto the writers of that nation, being men of learning, and most skilful Cosmographers) beginneth southward at certaine riuers issuing foorth of a lake in the desert of Gaoga. Eastward it bordereth vpon the riuer Nilus. It extendeth northward to that part of Egypt, where Nilus at seuen mouthes dischargeth his streames into the Mediterran sea: from whence it stretcheth westward as farre as the streites of Gibraltar, and is bounded on that part with the vtmost sea-towne of all Libya, called Nun. Likewise the south part thereof abutteth vpon the Ocean sea, which compasseth Africa almost as farre as the deserts of Gaoga.