Eritrea is one of Africa’s youngest countries: it became independent from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year-long civil war. Today, relations between the two countries are still tense. Much of central Eritrea is made up by the Eritrean Highlands, which stretch northwards to the Sudanese border. High in these mountains, the climate is cool and temperate. Some of their slopes are covered by forests; others are used for farming. To the west, the land slopes down to flat, dry grasslands, while in the east, lowlands runs alongside the Red Sea. This hot coastal region is covered by sand or gravel; in the southeast, the land is so arid it is regarded as desert. Offshore, lie a group of 126 tiny islands called the Dahlak Archipelago. Since Roman times, they have been famous for pearls.

People

Most Eritreans belong to one of two large ethnic groups, the Tigre and Tigrinya. Together, they make up over three-quarters of the population; their ancestors were some of the earliest people to live in the region. There are seven other ethnic groups, including the Saho and Kunama. Although they each have their own language, nearly all Eritreans speak and understand Tigrinya.

Everyday life is a challenge for many Eritreans. Electricity, education and healthcare are in short supply. Acording to United Nations reports, the Eritrean government has been responsible for serious human rights abuses, including imprisoning its own citizens without charge, and forcing many of them into military service. As a result, thousands of Eritreans leave the country every month as refugees, seeking a better life abroad.

Aftermath of war

Many years of civil war have left Eritrea an extremely poor country. Its economy was badly damaged: the war destroyed roads and ports, making it difficult to export products to sell abroad. Today, they are being rebuilt, and new industries are developing. Eritrea has large reserves of gold, silver and copper.

Farming

Most Eritreans rely on farming to make a living, growing corn, vegetables and lentils and keeping goats. However, this part of Africa occasionally suffers from severe droughts; if rainfall is too low, crops fail and thousands of people face food shortages. As a result, Eritrea has to import a lot of its food, but it is seldom enough to feed everyone.

Facts about Eritrea

Population 3,576,081 (2025 estimate)

Area 101,000 sq km

Highest point Emba Soira 3018 m (9902 ft)

Capital Asmara, population 1,073,000

Other major cities Keren (pop. 120,000), Dekemhare (120,000)

Language Tigrinya

Religions Christian 50%, Islam 48%, others 2%

Ethnicity Tigrinya 55%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Kunama 2%, others 9%

Currency Eritrean nakfa (ERN)

Chief exports livestock, sorghum, textiles