BAMBOUK, bism-book', or BAMBUK, west Africa region in the French colony of Senegal, between the Falerne and Senegal rivers, between lat. 12° 30' and 14° 30' N.; long. 10° 30' to 12° 15' W., and estimated to be about 140 miles in length by 80 to 100 in breadth. Besides the Senegal, its tributaries, the Faleme and the Bafing (or upper Senegal), form its natural boundaries. A considerable part is somewhat ruffed, though not very elevated, the highest points seldom exceeding 600 feet. The valleys and plains are remarkably fertile. The baobab, calabash, tamarind, with a variety of acacias and palms, reach the utmost limit of their fruitfulness; maize, millet, cotton and a multitude of leguminous plants grow almost without culture, and rice is produced in the lowlands, which are subject to inundation. Its unhealthiness, however, malces it almost unin habitable by Europeans. The animals comprise lions and elephants, wild cattle, crocodiles, etc.
Gold is found in abundance. It is carelessly worked, and is given to traders in exchange for salt, an article in great demand, and various other goods. Bambouk is more sparsely in habited than formerly. The natives are Man dingoes and form a considerable number of communities or confederations more or less hostile to each other. They ostensibly profess Islam, but practically they are pagans and of a very ferocious disposition. The country has latterly been fully explored by the French, who are developing its resources and have con structed a railway along the Senegal from Kayes to Bafulabe. In the 15th century the Portuguese, allured by the fame of its gold, invaded Bambouk, but ultimately perished al most to a man, partly through intestine dis sensions and debauchery, and partly by the weapons of the natives. It has been under French protection since 1858. Pop. about 800,000.