Eritrea: History, Geography, and Key Facts

Country Profile: Eritrea

Location: Horn of Africa, bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Red Sea.

Capital: Asmara

Languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, English (working)

Population: ~3.6 million (2019)

Area: 117,600 km²

Currency: Nakfa (ERN)

Independence: May 24, 1993 (from Ethiopia)

Historical Arc

• Ancient Kingdom of Aksum (1st–7th c. AD)
• Ottoman, Egyptian, then Italian colonial rule (1885–1941)
• British administration (1941–1952)
• Federation with Ethiopia (1952–1962), then annexation → 30‑year war for independence

Culture & Economy

Diverse religious mix (Christian/Muslim). Known for coffee, archaeology (Aksum, Dahlak Islands), and a highly controlled, agrarian economy.