Eritrea

Eritrea is a country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Sudan to the west, Ethiopia to the south and Djibouti to the southeast. Its northeastern coastline stretches along the Red Sea and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and numerous smaller islands. Asmara, located in the central highlands, is the capital and largest city. Covering about 117,000 square kilometres, Eritrea has striking differences in altitude.

The central highlands are cooler and higher, while the western lowlands and eastern coastal plain are generally hotter and drier. The country’s highest point is Emba Soira, which rises to about 3,018 metres. Eritrea’s landscapes have been shaped by geological activity, erosion and long-term climate changes. In the southeast, the Danakil Depression forms part of one of the hottest and lowest regions on Earth, although the depression extends across several countries.

The Red Sea coast is extremely dry, while the highlands receive more seasonal rainfall. Eritrea contains diverse natural environments, from mountain regions and arid plains to coastal and marine ecosystems. The waters around the Dahlak Islands contain coral reefs, seagrass habitats and many marine species. Rainfall is generally scarce and irregular, making access to water an important environmental issue.

Eritrea’s position on the Red Sea also gives it geographical importance for maritime routes connecting the Mediterranean region with the Indian Ocean. Its main ports include Massawa and Assab. Tigrinya, Arabic and English are widely used, with Tigrinya and Arabic playing important roles in public life. Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long struggle for independence. Its national currency is the nakfa. The combination of highlands, dry lowlands, desert environments and a long Red Sea coastline creates strong geographical contrasts within a relatively small territory.