Ogowé, or OGOWAY

Ogowé, or OGOWAY, a river of West Africa, has its origin on the west side of the watershed that parts its basin from that of the Congo, in 2° 40' S. lat., 14° 30' E. long., flows north-west, west, and finally curves round by the south so as to pour its waters into Nazareth Bay, on the north side of Cape Lopez. It forms a wide delta of some 70 sq. m. in extent. In the dry season (July to Sep- tember) it shrinks to a narrow current winding between the rocky obstructions of its bed; at other times it is a deep, broad stream, navigable by boats; numerous islands and sandbanks and shallows prevent vessels of any size from ascending. It has been dominated by France, through her colony on the Gaboon (q.v.), since 1885.