Eritrea, Independent nation in the Horn of Africa
The_state_covers_45,400_square_miles_(117,600_square_kilometers)_along_the_Red_Sea_coast,_encompassing_low-lying_deserts,_central_highland_regions,_and_the_Dahlak_island_group._Asmara,_the_capital,_sits_at_7,630_feet_(2,325_meters)_elevation_and_preserves_colonial-era_architecture._The_topography_ranges_from_coastal_plains_to_mountains_exceeding_9,840_feet_(3,000_meters)._Massawa_serves_as_the_principal_seaport.
Italian_forces_occupied_Massawa_in_1885_and_formally_established_the_colony_in_1890._British_troops_took_control_in_1941_before_the_territory_federated_with_Ethiopia_in_1952._A_thirty-year_independence_war_began_in_1961,_leading_to_statehood_in_1993_following_a_referendum._Border_disputes_with_Ethiopia_emerged_in_1998_and_lasted_until_2000.
The_country_encompasses_nine_ethnic_groups_with_distinct_languages,_including_Tigrinya,_Tigre,_and_Afar._Coffee_ceremonies_form_a_central_social_custom,_where_roasted_beans_are_prepared_in_traditional_clay_pots._The_Eritrean_Orthodox_Church_follows_the_Alexandrian_Rite,_while_Muslim_communities_maintain_separate_prayer_spaces_and_festivals._Craft_markets_sell_silver_jewelry,_basketry,_and_hand-woven_textiles_that_reflect_local_artisanship.
Entry_requires_a_visa_obtained_through_embassies._Travel_permits_are_necessary_for_movement_outside_the_capital._Photography_of_military_installations,_bridges,_and_ports_is_prohibited._The_nakfa_currency_cannot_be_exchanged_outside_the_country._The_best_period_to_travel_is_October_through_April_when_temperatures_are_more_moderate._Cash_transactions_dominate_as_credit_cards_have_limited_acceptance.
The_Danakil_Depression_ranks_among_the_hottest_inhabited_places_on_Earth,_where_Afar_nomads_have_extracted_salt_slabs_for_centuries._This_region_lies_up_to_410_feet_(125_meters)_below_sea_level._Salt_caravans_transport_slabs_by_camel_across_several_days_to_trading_centers._Geological_activity_creates_colored_sulfur_pools_and_lava_fields.
Inception: May 24, 1993
Capital city: Asmara
Part of: East Africa
Shares border with: Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Arab League
Website: http://shabait.com
GPS coordinates: 15.95003,37.99997
Latest update: November 30, 2025 16:15
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Enda Mariam Coptic Cathedral
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Qohaito
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Cinema Impero
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Hawulti
208.7 km
Mousa Ali
613.2 km
Great Mosque of Asmara
121.7 km
Debre Bizen
135.1 km
Governor's Palace, Asmara
121.9 km
Kidane Mehret Cathedral, Asmara
121.2 km
Asmara President's Office
121 km
Nora
219.7 km
Asmara Cinema-Teatro
121.4 km
Imperial palace Massawa
161.8 km
Saint Michael's Cathedral, Keren
52.5 km
Bank of Italy palace
162.5 km
Madote
193.3 km
Massawa Harbor Range Rear Lighthouse
161.8 km
Falletta Building
121.4 km
Tank Graveyard of Asmara
119.9 kmReviews
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