In this useful work, detailing more than 2,500 African placenames of all types, each entry identifies the country and, in most cases, geographical location within the country. An account of the name’s origin and meaning follows, along with appropriate historical, topographical, and biological references. Cross references provide former names, alternate spellings, and alternate forms of current names. An introduction comprises a geographical summary, a chronological survey of the exploration and colonization of Africa, and an overview of African languages.

The late Adrian Room was a noted toponymist and onomastician. The author of more than 50 reference books about words and names, he lived in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

Adrian Room
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography
Copyright Date: 2014 [2008]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9561-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1710-7
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

Introduction      3

The Dictionary      15

Appendix I: Arabic Terms in African Placenames      203

Appendix II: Official Languages of African Countries      204

Appendix III: Locations and Populations of African Countries      206

Appendix IV: Official Names of African Countries      207

Appendix V: Independence Dates      209

Appendix VI: African Placenames with Biblical Connections      211

Appendix VII: African Placenames in the 1771 Encyclopædia Britannica      212

Select Bibliography      215

“fascinating…recommended”—Booklist; “a useful reference”—ARBA; “recommended”—Reference Reviews; “absolutely essential”—Reference Quarterly.