Cross River - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

CROSS RIVER, a river of West Africa, over 500 m. long. It rises in 6° N, 10° 30' E. in the mountains of Cameroon, and flows at first N.W. In 8° 48' E., 5° 50' N. are a series of rapids; below this point the river is navigable for shallow-draught boats. At 8° 20' E., 6° 10' N., its most northern point, the river turns S.W. and then S., entering the Gulf of Guinea through the Calabar estuary. The Calabar river, which rises about 5° 30' N., 8° 30' E., has a course parallel to, and 10 to 20 m. east of, the Cross river. Near its mouth, on its east bank, is the town of Calabar (q.v.). It enters the estuary in 4° 45' N. The Cross, Calabar, Kwa and other streams farther east, which rise on the flanks of the Cameroon Mountains, form a large delta. The Calabar and Kwa rivers are wholly within the British protectorate of Southern Nigeria, as is the Cross river from its mouth to the rapids mentioned. The upper course of the river is in German territory.