TRANSVAAL (ire., " across the Vaal"), till 1877 a republic, now a British territory, in s.e. Africa, includes the country n. of the Vaal river, and on both slopes of the Maga liesberg or Cashan mountains, into which the emigrant Boers retired after the annexa tion of the Orange River Free State, in 1848, to the British crown. Its limits lie between lat. 22° and 27° s. and long. 25° and 32° east. The n. boundary of the republic may be described as formed by the Oori or Limpopo river, here running nearly from w. to c. ; its e. boundary by the continuation of the Drachenberg mountains, separating it from the coast-region, inhabited by tile Zulu Kaffirs ; on the s. it has the Vaal river from its source, dividing it from the Free State republic ; while on the w., an undefined line separates it from the Betjuana tribes, still independent, living along the edge of the desert region of the Kalihari. Thus, an area of not less than 114,000 sq.m. was more or less under the control of the emigrant Boers, who were not very scrupulous in their dealings with the poor native tribes who lived, or live still, in the country they now occupy. This region may be described in general terms as a vast plateau, sloping to the n., supported by the coast-line of mountains, which, presenting a bold mural buttress, or escarpment, to the low country at their feet. stretch away on their western flank into vast plains. At right angles to the coast-range, another belt of very high lands, called the Magalic,sberg, runs. e. and w., forming a watershed between the river system of the Vaal or Orange and Limpopo rivers. The southern face of this range also presents long and undulating plains, generally well watered and wooded, and abounding with large game. To the n., as we approach the basin of the Limpopo, many high parallel chains of hills are met with, through narrow poorts or openings in which flow the many streams which form, further to the northwest, the Limpopo or Oorl river, which is supposed to enter the ocean as the labia, in lat. 20° 43' s., long. 80' east. This point, however, is still one in dispute with African geographers. See SOFALA. The rivers of the Transvaal region are more generally applieable for irrigating purposes than those of the Free State or Cape Colony in general, their channels not lying so deep below the general surface of the country.
The average height of the plateau inhabited by the emigrant farmers of European descent is from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Many of the peaks of the mountain range traversing the plateau attain an elevation of 9,000 or 10,000 ft., and are covered with snow some months in the year. The altitude of the coast-line of mountains is considered at from 6,000 to 7,000 ft. above the low region at their feet.
The principal towns are—Mooiriverdorp, or Potschefstroom, on the Mool river; Pre toria, about 100 in. n.e. of Potschefstroom, the seat of the local government; Leyden burg, 170 m, n.e. of Pretoria; Rustenberg. a few m. n. of the Magaliesberg; and Zout pansberg, the most remote village inhabited by men of European descent in s. Africa,
about 40 m. s. of the Limpopo river.
The population consists of emigrant farmers, and a mixture of deserters and foreign refugees from the Cape Colony and Natal. Their number is about 40,000 souls Scat tered through the country are numerous kraals of Betjuans, in number about 650,000, the Boers have hitherto compelled to supply labor whenever required. Tho republic was established in 1840, and recognized by Britain in 1852. The budget for the year ending Jan. 31, 1876, gave the revenue at £86,496. According to a treaty entered into between Portugal and the Transvaal republic, the latter enjoyed free transit of all goods through the Portuguese harbors on the e. coast; and in order to save the import dues levied by the colony of Natal, industrious efforts were made to secure direct access, by road and rail, to Delagoa bay. As this line passed through the dominions of an independent chief, the Boers were soon embroiled in desultory war with the latter. Their policy furthbr provoked so intense excitement among the natives upon the Kaff rarian frontier of the Cape Colony, and so seriously menaced the well-being of the British settlements, that Britain interfered, and ultimately, on April 12, 1877, annexed the ter ritory of the republic. A large measure of local freedom is enjoyed by the Boers, and Dutch ranks with English as one of the two official languages. Chief exports—ostrich feathers, wool, ivory, cattle, cereals, tobacco, etc.
With regard to the social aspect of the country, very marked progress has been made within the last few years. The large influx of Europeans and colonists of a more edu cated class than the original settlers, has produced very marked effects. The state church has been the Dutch Reformed, but all other creeds are tolerated.
The climate is generally healthy, although n. of the Magalicsberg its tropical nature begins to manifest itself. Hot winds and violent thunder-storms prevail in the summer mouths The fly tsetse, whose bite is death to the bovine and equine species, abounds in many parts, and renders traveling with oxen and horses difficult.
When capt. Harris visited this region 40 years ago, the number of the larger mamma lia found by him was enormous; and even Gordon Cumming, who hunted over part of it many years subsequently, found them still numerous. Crocodiles are numerous in the rivers, and a large species of boa is found.
The first diamond discovered in s. Africa was found in Oct., 1866, n. of the Vaal river, and since then diamond mining has been carried on with great success in that dis trict. Diamonds have also been found in the districts of Marico, Waterberg, and Pre toria. Gold has been discovered in quartz reefs and alluvial deposits near Marabastad, 180 in. n. of Pretoria; also near Leydenburg, where mining is actively prosecuted; and the gold-bearing strata are supposed to extend for hundreds of m. in various directions. The country is also rich in other minerals, such as copper, lead, iron, tin, and coal.