This work serves as a comprehensive cartographic and historical reference designed to provide a spatial understanding of the African continent and its surrounding island territories. Robert O. Collins, a noted scholar of African history, utilizes this reference to synthesize geographical data with historical context, offering a structured overview of the region's physical and political landscape. The text functions as a foundational resource for students and researchers requiring precise topographical and regional information.

The subject matter points to a dense, specialist reference text intended for academic or cartographic study. Its focus on precise topographical data and regional indexing suggests a high level of utility for researchers requiring reliable geographical information.