Information on Eritrea

INTRODUCTION

•  Capital City: Asmara

•  Language: Tigrinya (official), Arabic, English, Tigre, Afar

•  Currency: Nakfa - ERN

•  Religion: Christian, Muslim

•  National Anthem: Ertra, Ertra, Ertra

•  Newspaper: Asmarino, ERINA, Afrik

•  Places to Visit: Qohaito, Asmara, Keren, Dankalia, Massawa Island and many others.

• Transport: Avail EgyptAir flying from Cairo (Egypt), Lufthansa airline from Germany and Yemenia Airlines from Sanaa to Eritrea destination. One can even opt for shared taxis or chartered bus in this region.

• Shopping: Gold and silver jewelry, leather items, spears, woodcarvings, drums, carpets and wicker goods.

Travel to this multicultural land, which is known to have two prevalent religions along with nine nationalities with distinct languages of its own. Eritrea derives its present name from the Latin word - Mare Erythraeum that stands for the Red Sea. Enthrall your senses that captivate your sight while touring in this land where countless opportunities await you.

LOCATION OF ERITREA

Eritrea is nestled within the northern region of East Africa. It is surrounded from the western front by Sudan, from the southern front by Ethiopia and from the southeastern front by Djibouti. The coastline boundary along the Red Sea passes through the eastern and northeastern region of the country especially from the location of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

PHYSICAL MAP OF ERITREA

Nestled in the 'Horn of Africa' where the region is practically separated into:

• Mountain ranges
• The Great Rift Valley,
• Fertile land in the western region
• Desert near the East.

Eritrea has a parliamentary democracy constituted of six regions but is considered as a functional single party state. The place is formed by Dahlak dry land along the arid coastline while the southern highlands are comparatively cooler. The three tectonic plates in this region are parting with one another near the Afar Triangle or Danakil Depression of Eritrea, which includes the plates of Arabian and the African Plates of Nubian and the Somalian. The highest point in this region is Amba Soira.

The major cities within this place are Asmara (the capital city), Assab (southeast port town), Massawa (east), Keren (north).

CLIMATE OF ERITREA

Eritrea is placed at the highest atoll within the African continent. The two major climatic conditions affecting this region are:

•  Rainy Season that occur during the month of June to September

•  Dry season affecting the place from October to May.

The best time to visit this area is during:

•  Highland area of Asmara, Keren: between September to February

•  Lowlands & coastal areas: November to March

•  Lowlands for camel safaris during: December to February

In the highlands, the sultry month hits the area from May while winter settles during December to February. Minor down pouring happens during March and April and heavy rainfall occurs from June to September. The average temperature of the area lies between 16 degrees centigrade.

The lowland areas and the coastal plains are accustomed to sultry and dry condition from June to September. December to February is usually the rainy season with an average temperature level being about 35 degrees centigrade.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF ERITREA

The native animals of this region are greater kudu, Tora hartebeest, vervet monkey, olive baboon, sand fox, bat-eared fox, genet, African wildcat, warthog, Soemmering's gazelle, Abyssinian hare lion, leopard, zebra, antelope, and elephant. Giraffe and baboon are known to have extinct from this place.

The coastal area is also a habitat to turtle, lobster, and shrimps. Get striking sights of innumerable aquatic life like angelfish, barracudas, butterfly fish, crabs, sea cucumbers and jellyfish.

Native Plant that are found here are acacia, cactus, aloe vera, prickly pear, and olive trees.

Do visit the wildlife preserve of Semenawi Bahri that houses several native birds and floras.

Stay connected at Mapsofworld for all relevant information about Eritrea.