1902 Encyclopaedia Britannica

*Article from the Encyclopedia Britannica that details the state of informed public opinion about the Congo (one of the largest political divisions of Equatorial Africa) the year “Heart of Darkness” appeared in book form
*Breaks down the history of the Congo in terms of history, physical features, population, stations, constitution, judicial machinery, religion, finance, defense, land, minerals, animal products, agriculture, industries, commerce, communications, waterways, and shipping
*The political history states that in the General Act, the deliberations following the International Conference at Berlin, the Congo was given a list of provisions concerning the relationship between it and Europe under King Leopold, trade monopolies, and the civilization of the natives
*The geographic information outlines the physical features, such as the various streams, rivers, and mountains. The climate varies only slightly year round, and violent storms wrack the area – points out that “Europeans are subject to the usual tropical diseases, and the country is not suited for European colonization”
*The European population at the end of 1886 was 254
*Mentions that “the native population are pagans, fetish worshippers, and on a very low plane of civilization” – mentions colonies set up to train 500 boys up to the age of 14 who are neglected, orphans, or rescued from slavery for the sole purpose of providing recruits for the armed forces of the State – “Missionaries have displayed great activity on the Congo”
*Trivializes agricultural feats: “Until the advent of Europeans the natives…did little more than cultivate small patches of land close to their villages”
*Focuses on the “splendid navigable waterways” of the Congo as the “most powerful instrument in the development of its resources”