Geography
CHAPTER I
Page 374
THE BACKGROUND(1)
4. The three territories lie within the tropics but much of the land is 3,000- 5,000 feet above sea level. In the highlands the climate is generally temperate, but during the hot season (October and November) temperatures may rise to 100°F. In the plains of Nyasaland and the lower regions of the Rhodesias hot weather temperatures are much higher. Rainfall generally is confined to the period from October to April and many of the smaller rivers dry out after the rains cease. The only important navigable rivers are the Zambesi, which forms the boundary between Southern and Northern Rhodesia, and the Shire, which runs from Lake Nyasa through Nyasaland and Portuguese East Africa to the Zambesi.
5. Southern Rhodesia has an area of roughly 150,000 square miles (about three times the size of England). The area of Northern Rhodesia is 290,000 square miles and of Nyasaland 48,000 square miles, of which 10,000 square miles are lake.
History
6. Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia have a common origin, as they were originally administered by the British South Africa Company, to which a concession was granted by Royal Charter in 1889. Southern Rhodesia was formally annexed and granted self-government in 1923, while the adminis- tration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the Crown in 1924. The exten- sion of European influence to Nyasaland was initially the result of missionary effort. Nyasaland was proclaimed a British Protectorate in 1891.
Population
7. In 1938 there were about 4,330,000 Africans and 76,000 Europeans in the three territories. The total population of the territories in 1950 was estimated to be rather more than 6 million, of whom about 2,100,000 live in Southern Rhodesia, 1,900,000 in Northern Rhodesia and 2,350,000 in Nyasa- land. Of these 169,000 were Europeans (Southern Rhodesia 129,000, Northern Rhodesia 36,000, Nyasaland 4,000) and 17,000 coloured (persons of mixed blood) or Asiatic. Territorial boundaries do not in all cases coincide with tribal boundaries: there is a continuous interflow of population between the three territories and, in particular, very large numbers of Africans from Nyasa- land continually seek work in the other two territories. The growth in European population in recent years is largely accounted for by immigration.
Physical Resources
8. The physical resources of the three territories are to a great extent com- plementary. Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia contain large areas suitable for European settlement and for temperate-zone agriculture and pastoral farming. Nyasaland has a greater proportion of low-lying land, thickly populated by Africans, suitable for sub-tropical crops such as cotton, tea, tung oil and food crops. All three territories produce large quantities of tobacco. The area as a whole is deficient in softwood timber, but there are
(1) A fuller account of the background will be found in The Central African Territories:
age 374 of
Geographical, Historical and Economic Survey, which is being published separately.
Page 374
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extensive hardwood forests. There are important mineral deposits in both the Rhodesias, including gold, asbestos, chrome, coal and iron ore in Southern Rhodesia; copper, lead, zinc and vanadium in Northern Rhodesiar and lime- stone in both tentories. Nyasaland has few minerals.orthern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have large fishery resources.
National Income
9. The combined national income of the three territories in 1949 was £113 million. Of this Southern Rhodesia contributed £73 million, Northern Rhodesia £27 million and Nyasaland £13 million.
Industrial Development
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10. The industrial resources of the area are considerable. The value of the net output of secondary industries in Southern Rhodesia in 1949 was £20 million; in Northern Rhodesia (including copper smelting) £29 million. Important iron and steel and cotton textile industries are developing in Southern Rhodesia. Cement industries are developing rapidly in both the Rhodesias. Industries based on asbestos have been established and a pilot plant for ferro- chrome production is in the course of construction. A promising plywood industry is developing in Nyasaland.
Transport
11. The Rhodesia Railways system runs through the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia and is owned and operated jointly by the Governments of those three territories. The system connects the Rhodesias with the Union ports and Lourenço Marques (to the South); with the Beira Railway and the Port of Beira (to the East); with the Belgian Congo Railway system and Lobito Bay via the Benguela Railway (to the North-West). The Nyasaland Railways and associated railways are linked with the Port of Beira via the Beira Railway and are thus indirectly connected with the Rhodesia Railways system. There is an extensive trunk road system connecting the territories, though surface standards in many areas require improvement. A continuing programme for development and improve- ment of the road system is in operation in all three territories. There is an efficient network of air services.
Constitutional Status
12. Southern Rhodesia has since 1923 been fully self-governing in domestic affairs, subject to certain reservations, particularly with regard to differential legislation affecting Africans. The executive power is in the hands of Ministers chosen by the leader of the predominant party, who are responsible to a single chamber legislature elected on a common roll. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are responsible in the international field for the affairs of Southern Rhodesia and usually enter into formal agreements on her behalf. Certain agreements, particularly those relating to trade, are, however, entered into by Southern Rhodesia directly and the Colony generally deals direct with Commonwealth countries and, in local matters, with neighbouring foreign territories.
13. Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are Protectorates and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, are ultimately responsible to the United Kingdom Parliament for their administration. Each territory is administered by a Governor who is advised by an Executive Council including unofficial members; in Northern
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