_ 104 _ so strong that our ships lost the caturs(A) which were tied to their poops, this they proceeded until they came to the African coast north of Cape Guardafui, then they followed it until they came within sight of Aden. Chapter: 104 Aden is a sea port on the Arabian coast, situated at a distance of thirty leagues from the strait of Mecca; its area was at the time larger than Evora's(B), and its population the same as that of Beja, It was very beautiful, its houses tall and possessing storeys and covered by open terraces; they had many windows and chimneys similar to ours, and their walls were coated with plaster as were also the city-walls, towers, bastions and other positions, as can be seen from a distance. It almost forms an island and is situated next to a mountain range which extends from the interior to the sea. It is built on a steep slope, and around this stands the city walls; thus, the mountains are its own fortress, and on their side there is no need for a wall to be built. On the seaside there were two towers and a bastion, both of them stocked with plenty of artillery. This mountain range I've referred to is called Aizina, and it consists entirely of rock, without any trees or vegetation. (A) Small vessels. (B) In southern Portugal.
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