Foota, a territory of Senegambia, west Africa, extending from the Senegal on the northwest to North Gangara on the southeast, between lat. 15° and 16° 20' N., and Ion. 12° 30' and 16° 36' W.; area about 15,000 sq, m.; pop. estimated at 400,000. It is a fertile, well watered country, producing rice, gum, tamarinds, cotton, tobacco, and various kinds of grain. Large forests are spread over the surface, pasture lands support sheep and cattle, and there are several mines of iron. The inhabitants are mostly negroes, active and industrious, but, like most of their race, extravagantly superstitious. They profess Mohammedanism, and are firm believers in witchcraft. They cultivate the ground with considerable skill, and are active fishermen. Their manufactures are confined to cotton cloth and earthenware. The country is divided into three parts or provinces, viz.: Foota Tora on the north, Foota proper in the middle, and Foota Damga on the east. Each of these has its chief, subject to the almamy or sovereign, who is chosen from a few privileged families by a council of five. His authority is both secular and sacerdotal, but the council has the right of reprimanding, deposing, or in some cases putting him to death.

The fanaticism of the people is a great impediment to European commerce, but in 1857 the French erected a fort at Podor, on the Senegal, for the protection of traders.