| Landmarks around the coast include the "Magdalena River," the "Gulf of St. Thomas," "low land," and "mountains." Most of Africa's major rivers have not been charted beyond the coasts, so their twists and turns are merely speculative. Meanwhile, near the center stands the mythical Christian ruler, Prester John. Bearing the cross, his supposed realm still lured many explorers, missionaries, and merchants into voyaging to Africa. The continent's interior also reveals strange and fanciful creatures, black African kings, and diminutive pygmies. The real contours of the African interior would not be filled in by Europeans until well into the nineteenth century. |
