Eritrea

Eritrea is a country in the Horn of Africa. It has a long coast along the Red Sea. The land has highlands, deserts, and islands. About 3.5 million people live in Eritrea, and the capital city is Asmara.

Land and Sea

Eritrea has a very long coast on the Red Sea. Over 350 islands belong to the country. These islands have coral reefs and lots of sea life. The highlands in the middle have cooler weather and green farms. The low coastal area can be very hot and dry. Eritreans grow crops like sorghum, barley, and teff, a tiny grain used to make bread.

Asmara the Beautiful

Asmara is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. It has colorful buildings from the early 1900s that look like they belong in a storybook. The city is sometimes called 'Little Rome' because of its Italian-style cafes and churches. People in Eritrea speak many languages including Tigrinya and Arabic. A favorite food is injera, a flat sour bread eaten with spicy stews. Coffee ceremonies are an important tradition.

Fun Facts

• Asmara is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its special old buildings.
• Eritrea has nine different ethnic groups, each with their own language.
• Eritreans have one of the best cycling teams in all of Africa.

Did You Know?

Eritrea became an independent country in 1993, making it one of the youngest countries in Africa.