Africa Map, 1891

This map shows Africa in 1891 when it was largely divided among the European powers. It contained many semi-official British "spheres of influence," like the Sudan, and company-administered areas, like the rich but uncolonized highlands of East Africa. This area round the source of the Nile was a particular temptation to imperial rivals, and the smouldering tensions nearly came to a head at Fashoda in a bitter Anglo-French clash.