FUTA-IALLON, fn'tal zlittIoN', or FOOTA JALLON. A mountainous region in West Afri ca, a part of French Guinea, and bordered by S6n6gal on the north and Portuguese Guinea on the west. Its area is about 42,500 square miles. Owing mainly to the elevation, which is about 4000 feet, the climate is rather favorable; and the fine forests lend beauty to the region. The Senegal, Gambia, and other rivers head within its confines. It is a mineral district, furnishing copper, iron, and some gold. Its fertile soil pro duces coffee, rice, maize, and cotton. The coun try is well adapted for stock-raising, and the number of cattle is considerable. The territory is regarded as among the best in that part of Africa, but it is as yet little developed.
Futa-Jallon was divided into four administra tive circles by the French in 1902, each circle being under the French commandant of the re gion. At the head of the native government are the princes, called Almami, of the two leading ancient families. Each prince rules for two years, and his powers are subject to the action of an assembly of nobles. The crowning of the
Almami takes place amid great festivities in the university town of Fugumba, in the oldest mosque in the land. The capital is Timbo, a village of 1500 inhabitants, and interesting for its palaces. Tuba is the largest city. Labe, also, is important, and Sokokoro is in a charming locality. The population of Futa-Jallon is given as about 600,000, mostly Fulbe. They came from Senegal in the sixteenth century and subjugated the natives. (See FULAIT.) In 1881 the French, through a representative of the French adminis tration in Senegambia, first concluded a treaty of peace with the Almami rulers of Futa-Jallon. It was not, however, until 1893 that a French protectorate was established, and a firm footing secured in connection with the Government of French Guinea (q.v.). Consult: Daher, Leber die Capverden nach dens Rio Grande and Fula Dschallon (Leipzig, 1884) ; Noirot, A (ravers le Fouta-Diallon et le Bambauc (Paris, 1885).