Eritrea

Full name of country: State of Eritrea

Region: Africa

Official language: Tigrinya, Arabic, English

Population: 6,343,956 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Eritrean(s) (noun), Eritrean (adjective)

Land area: 101,000 sq km (38,996 sq miles)

Water area: 16,600 sq km (6,409 sq miles)

Capital: Asmara (Asmera)

National anthem: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea), by Solomon Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham Meharezgi And Aron Tekle Tesfatsion

National holiday: Independence Day, May 24, (1993)

Population growth: 1.12% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +3

Flag: The flag of Eritrea features three horizontal triangles: one green, one red, and one blue. The green represents the land, the blue represents the ocean, and the red represents the country’s fight for independence. The red triangle features a golden wreath and olive branch.

Independence: May 24, 1993 (from Ethiopia)

Government type: Transitional government. Following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on April 23-25, 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature and a Constitutional Commission was established to draft a constitution; Isaias Afwerki was named president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001 but were postponed indefinitely. Currently the PFDJ is the sole legal party and controls all national, regional, and local political offices.

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law

Eritrea, a small country on the Horn of Africa, is bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Red Sea. Some of the oldest human fossils have been unearthed in Eritrea, and the country's culture is steeped in ancient traditions derived from an array of peoples.

For much of the twentieth century, Eritrea was dominated by foreign powers. It won its independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long war, and began struggling with challenges related to widespread poverty and economic stagnation, only to become involved in a bloody border war with Ethiopia once again. While the border dispute was resolved with a peace treaty in 2018 and Eritrea offered Ethiopia military support during the early 2020s, Eritrea continued to struggle with poverty, widespread human rights violations, and an authoritarian government considered by many observers to be among the most repressive in the world.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Eritrea has a young, growing population, with a median age of 20.3 years in 2020. The central highlands are the most densely populated area. The Eritrean population is predominantly rural, with only 43.3 percent living in urban areas in 2023. Asmara, the largest city and capital, has a population of 1.07 million (2023 est.). Other urban centers are Keren, Nakfa, and the coastal cities of Massawa and Assab.

The Eritrean population is a complex ethnic composite. According to 2021 estimates, Tigrinya people made up about 50 percent of the population, and Tigre people another 30 percent. Minority groups include the Saho (4 percent), the Bilen (3 percent), and the Kunama (4 percent). Each group tends to live in distinct regions—the Tigrinya in the highlands, the Tigre in the northeast and on the western plain, the Kunama in the southwest, and the Afar in the Danakil region and on the Dahlak Archipelago.

Each ethnic group speaks its own language; all but a few of these belong to the Afro-Asiatic superfamily, which includes the Semitic languages. Tigrinya, Tigre, and Arabic are the most widely spoken. Only the ethnic groups living near the Sudanese border speak languages that derive from the Nilotic family. Tigrinya, Arabic, and English are all recognized as official languages.

Coptic Christianity and Sunni Islam both have long histories in Eritrea. There are small denominations of Roman Catholics and Protestants, but the majority of Christians adhere to the Coptic faith. These are the only four religions which the government recognizes; a growing number of Pentecostals have claimed that they are persecuted by the authorities.

Indigenous People: The major and minor ethnic groups and the major religions have been long established in Eritrea, and have coexisted peacefully for centuries. During the war for independence, the emphasis on a common identity united the various groups in a common cause. This identity remains strong today, but each group's unique traits are also recognized.

Education: Education in Eritrea's urban areas is limited by the lack of funding, facilities, qualified educators, and materials. The situation for the rural population is even more limited. A greater number of boys are educated, since it is commonly believed that girls should learn to take care of the home. The adult literacy rate was 76.6 percent in 2018.

Schooling in Eritrea starts at age seven, and primary school (grades 1 through 5) and lower secondary school (grades 6 through 8) are free and compulsory. Enrollment, however, is not strictly enforced, and the number of students quickly tapers off in the higher grades. After lower secondary, students can attend four years of upper secondary school. After grade 10, they have the option of attending technical school instead of continuing. Beginning in 2003, all grade 12 instruction was conducted at the Sawa military training camp in the Gash-Barka region.

Until 2002 Eritrea had one university, the University of Asmara, founded in 1958 as the Catholic College of Santa Famiglia. In 2002, the Eritrean government effectively closed the university and redistributed its resources to five new tertiary institutions throughout the country, among them the Eritrea Institute of Technology.

Health Care: Eritrea's long war with Ethiopia, its poor economic situation, and the number of refugees who returned to the country after the war slowed the development of an already inadequate health-care system. Medical care is centered in the capital, but even Asmara's hospitals are short of trained personnel, equipment, and supplies. Only the wealthy can afford private health-care services, and many Eritreans depend on traditional medicine to alleviate their illnesses.

Respiratory infections, diarrheal illnesses, stroke, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and chronic malnutrition are a few of the serious illnesses that threaten the health of the population. Despite these problems, some improvements have been made since independence, particularly in the areas of pre- and postnatal care and HIV/AIDS education.

Life expectancy at birth is 64.9 years for men and 70.2 years for women (2024 est.). The country ranked 175 out of 193 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index, based on 2022 data.

Food: Eritrea's cuisine shares many qualities with that of Ethiopia. Outside of fasting periods, when animal products cannot be consumed by Orthodox Christians, it is heavily meat-based; however, many people can only afford to eat meat on important occasions.

The national staple is injera, a large, foamy pancake made through a fermentation process from a grain called teff. The injera is spread on a tray, and a stew is heaped onto it. People share a tray, using their right hand to tear a piece of injera and pick up the food.

Common stews include tsebhi, beef or lamb cooked with tomatoes and peppers; alicha birsen, a lentil stew; and shiro, a spicy dish made of ground chickpeas. Italian dishes are also popular, dating from the Italian colonial period.

Tea, fresh fruit juices, coffee, and a honey mead called mies are popular drinks. Coffee is often drunk during a ceremony which begins with the roasting of the coffee beans, and it is traditional to drink at least three small, sweetened cups. Popcorn is usually served at the ceremony.

Arts & Entertainment: Eritrea's active folkways include many energetic dances and songs that are widely performed on social occasions. Music is also important during religious rituals. Drums and several stringed instruments, such as the krar, are commonly played.

Icons, illuminated manuscripts, and religious literature in the ancient Ge'ez language are other important aspects of the culture. There is also a strong oral tradition of both sacred and secular stories.

Visiting family and friends, going to cafes, and having coffee ceremonies are all popular social occasions. Football and cycling are the most popular sports in Eritrea.

Holidays: Religious holidays celebrated in Eritrea reflect the country's dual religious heritage. In addition to Christmas and Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate Meskel (September 27 and 28), marking the discovery of the True Cross, and Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. Meskel entails a procession followed by a bonfire, singing and dancing, and the harvesting of the fields. Timkat entails a procession in which each church's representation of the Ark of the Covenant is transported to a river and then returned to its repository in the church. These events also draw families together for large feasts.

Muslims celebrate Ramadan, Eid al Fitr at the end of the month-long fast, and Eid al Adha, which commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God as well as the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. These holidays are marked by feasts, prayers, and visits to family and friends.

Independence from Ethiopia is marked on May 24, and the beginning of the struggle for independence is observed on September 1.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Eritrea's terrain consists of a western plain, the central highlands, the coastal lowlands, and numerous small islands in the Red Sea. The western plain is characterized by rolling hills and decreases in elevation as it runs towards the border with Sudan; it ranges from 1,370 to 760 meters (4,500 to 2,500 feet). The Baraka River divides the western plain from the central highlands, a long, narrow core region that covers one-quarter of the country's total area and has an average elevation of 1,980 meters (6,496 feet). Amba Soira is the country's highest mountain at 3,018 meters (9,880 feet).

The terrain drops sharply from the central highlands to the long coastal lowlands. This region covers one-third of Eritrea's area and includes a coastline that measures 1,151 kilometers (715 miles) along the Red Sea. Narrow in the north, the lowlands broaden in the south into the Danakil Plains, part of the Great Rift Valley. The Danakil Depression (75 meters/244 feet below sea level) and the Kobar Sink (116 meters/380 feet below sea level) are both found there. Volcanic activity and minor earthquakes are common in this area.

Several hundred islands in the Red Sea are part of Eritrean territory. Most prominent are those in the Dahlak Archipelago.

Eritrea's few rivers flow only during the rainy season. The Baraka, Setit, Anseba and Mereb Rivers flow from the central highlands and into Sudan. The Falkat, Alighede and Laba Rivers leave the highlands and flow towards the Red Sea, where they generally disappear into the arid terrain.

Natural Resources: Eritrea's proven natural resources include gold, zinc, copper, and potash, but these have not been exploited; the country is also thought to have oil and natural gas reserves. Salt is found in the lowlands and is mined extensively. The most important natural resource for a large portion of the population is the arable land of the central highlands.

Since Eritreans use firewood for fuel, the forests of the highlands have been largely depleted. Deforestation and overgrazing has in turn led to soil erosion and, at lower elevations, desertification. Along the border with Ethiopia, the threat of landmines exists.

Plants & Animals: The hotter, drier regions of Eritrea have little significant vegetation. Shrubs, grasses, and an occasional stand of trees dot the arid landscape. One of the few trees that can withstand the harsh environment is the acacia. Palm trees and mangroves are found along the coast wherever oasis-like conditions exist. Vegetation in the central highlands is limited by the intense cultivation of the area and deforestation; only 15 percent is forested. Junipers, the African olive, and the imported eucalyptus are the most common trees.

Eritrea is home to 112 mammal species. The lion and elephant populations are listed as vulnerable, and the wild African ass is critically endangered. Other common animals include jackals, gazelles, warthogs, and wild cats. In addition, several hundred bird species are found in the country, and the Red Sea supports a wide range of marine life, including sea cows and turtles.

Climate: Eritrea's three regions have distinct climates. The central highlands are cool and receive the most precipitation. During the rainy season, heaviest in July and August, an average of 72.6 to 74.4 centimeters (28.6 to 29.3 inches) rain falls in Eritrea. The western hills and lowlands are semiarid. They are hotter than the highlands and receive less rainfall.

The eastern lowlands along the Red Sea are extremely hot and dry. Temperatures in the southeastern Danakil Depression is one of the hottest and lowest places on earth, can reach 51.7 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit). The port city of Massawa, however, which has the advantage of breezes from the Red Sea, has an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and receives rainfall measuring 205 millimeters (8 inches) annually.

Eritrea suffers from frequent droughts, especially in the western plain and the eastern lowlands. They vary in length and intensity and can induce widespread famine. Periodic locust swarms are also a problem, and can damage crops.

Economy

Eritrea's economic situation is challenging. The long fight for independence and the border war with Ethiopia were costly, damaged much of the infrastructure, and caused a serious refugee crisis. Moreover, droughts frequently threaten the country's crops and increase the population's reliance on food aid. Additionally, the country's authoritarian government has helped discourage foreign investment and tourism.

In 2017 Eritrea's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at US$9.702 billion, or just US$1,600 per capita. Unemployment was around 5.87 percent in 2023. The country's main exports are minerals (including gold), livestock, textiles, sorghum, and processed food.

Industry: The Italians left some light industrial infrastructure in Eritrea, and industry accounted for nearly a third of Eritrean GDP by the end of the 2010s. Eritrea has factories for food and beverage processing and clothing manufacture, as well as salt extraction facilities, an oil refinery, and a cement-making plant. Commercial ship repair is offered at the country's two major ports, Massawa and Assab.

Agriculture: Though much of the labor force is engaged in agriculture, it typically generates only a small portion of the country's GDP. Crops include cereals, vegetables, fiber, tobacco, corn, cotton, and tobacco.

Many nomadic herders live in the lowlands. Goats, cattle, sheep, chickens, and camels are the most commonly raised animals. The economic potential of fishing in the Red Sea is beginning to be realized on a wider scale.

Tourism: The tourism industry is growing in Eritrea as the country begins to lose its image of famine, drought, and conflict and to improve its infrastructure, through remains hampered due to political instability in the region and political repression within Eritrea itself. The number of visitors peaked in the mid-1990s, only to fall again during the border war. However, by the 2020s, the government had taken steps to invest in the tourism sector and encourage growth in this area.

Eritrea is not short of attractions, which range from the scenic beauty of the Red Sea and its colorful marine life, to the art nouveau architecture of Asmara and the restored Ottoman-era buildings of Massawa. Camel treks, safaris, deep-sea diving, snorkeling, and fishing are a few popular activities enjoyed by visitors.

Government

From 1890 until World War II, Eritrea was part of an Italian colony in East Africa. Administered by Britain until 1952, it enjoyed ten years of independence before it was annexed by Ethiopia. This led to a thirty-year war that claimed 70,000 Eritrean lives and displaced many more. Eritrea defeated Ethiopia in 1991 and voted for independence two years later. The relationship with Ethiopia remained strained and erupted into a border war from 1998 to 2000. Though fighting ended, the war was technically active and the border remained closed until peace was finally declared in 2018. In 2020 and 2021, as the Ethiopian government launched a military campaign against separatists in the Tigray region, Eritrea sent its military forces to assist Ethiopia.

Eritrea's government is still considered to be in transition, and by 2022 it had not yet fully implemented the constitution approved in 1997. The post-independence government, led by president Isaias Afwerki, postponed elections indefinitely, and the country continued to face widespread accusations of human rights violations well into the twenty-first century.

Executive power is vested in the State Council, which is headed by the president. The president is also the head of the government, the state, and the National Assembly and is responsible for appointing the State Council.

The legislative branch is the unicameral Hagerawi Baito, or National Assembly. Its 150 members are theoretically responsible for electing the president to a five-year term, with a limit of two terms. The constitution states that half of the National Assembly is elected by popular vote and the other half is selected by the ruling political party.

The judicial branch is composed of the High Court as well as regional, subregional, and military courts. Justices are appointed by the president. Sharia courts deal primarily with Muslim marriage, inheritance, and family issues.

Eritrea is divided into six administrative regions, which are headed by administrators appointed by the president.

Only one party has legal standing in Eritrea, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Political opposition is considered treasonous by the government and has resulted in state-controlled violence and detainment without trial.

Interesting Facts

• The name "Eritrea" is derived from the Greek word "erythraea," meaning "red," in reference to the Red Sea.
• Asmara, at an elevation of 2,374 meters (7,789 feet), is the tenth-highest city in the world.
• The camel has been designated the national symbol of Eritrea for its significance as a beast of burden, especially during war.
• The Eritrean unit of currency, the nafka, is named for the town in which a decisive battle for independence was fought.
• In 2016, ten Eritrean footballers defected to Botswana while on a trip to play against that country.

Bibliography

"Eritrea." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/ERI.pdf. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

"Eritrea." Reporters Without Borders, 2023, rsf.org/en/country/eritrea. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

"Eritrea." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/eritrea. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

"Eritrea." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 16 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/eritrea/. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

"Eritrea Country Profile." BBC News, 18 Apr. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349078. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Human Development Insights, 13 Mar. 2024, United Nations Development Programme, Sept. 2022, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.