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  Governors Palace, Asmara Eritrea
Governors Palace, Asmara Eritrea

Dahlak Islands, Eritrea's Coral frontier
Dahlak Islands, Eritrea's coral frontier
 

   

Eritrea

Before the advent of the Italians at the end of the 19th century, the history of Eritrea is characterized by the domination of various powers, such as the Turks and Egyptians. From 1557, the Massawa coastal area was under the rule of the Ottomans until the Egyptians took possession in 1865. The Italians took it in 1889 when they formally declared Eritrea as their colony. The Italian rule lasted till 1941.

Then the British at the onset of World War II ousted them. Eritrea was placed under British military administration until 1952 when Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia (1952-1962) and was finally annexed as a province of Ethiopia. The unpopular Federation and subsequent annexation of Eritrea with Ethiopia led to an armed struggle for liberation which began in September 1961 and would last more then 30 years, until Eritrea was finally liberated in May 24th 1991.

Eritrea offers an untamed landscape of astonishing diversity, an interior rich in historical remains, a coastal gateway to some outstanding diving spots, and a broad, hospitable welcome. Eritrea will prove irresistible to those seeking adventure.

 

 
            
           
     
  Traditional coffee ceremony
Traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony
  Oasis Travel and Tour Agency - Asmara Eritrea    Asmara Grande - The Gateway to Discover Eritrea     Eagle Travel and Tour Services Asmara Eritrea
     
           
     
  Catholic Cathedral, Asmara Eritrea
Catholic Cathedral, Asmara Eritrea
 
    Asmara

Asmara (Asmera), Eritrea's capital is situated on the eastern edge of Eritrea's highland plateau. Asmara enjoys a great climate, clean and picturesque streets, attractive palm trees, and a reputation as one of the safest, calm and alluring capital cities in Africa. The name Asmara is derived from Arbaete Asmara which literally means, in the Tigrinya language, "the four (villages) are united".
 

 
  Turkish architecture Massawa Eritrea
Turkish architecture Massawa Eritrea
 
    Massawa

The main port serving Eritrea, Massawa (Massaua) became an urban center in ancient times. Massawa is the largest natural deep water port on the Red Sea. Massawa is divided into three parts: Batse, Tualud, and the mainland. The island Batse comprises the ancient historical center with interesting houses, hotels, squares and religious buildings. and is a marvelous place to wander about.
 

 
  Mosque, Nacfa Eritrea
Mosque, Nacfa Eritrea
 
    Nacfa

Nacfa (Nakfa) the major town in the Sahel region of Eritrea, holds a special significance for the Eritrean people, being the home of the EPLF during their struggle for independence from Ethiopia. Nacfa is therefore the heart of collective Eritrean self-determination. The Eritrean currency, Nakfa, is named after this town. 
 

 
  Traditional dwellings, Keren Eritrea
Traditional dwellings, Keren Eritrea
 
    Keren

The mountain city Keren (Cheren), which means "highland" is one of the five major secondary towns in Eritrea. Keren is one of the major agricultural centers of Eritrea, particularly for fruits and vegetables. In addition its dairy herds supply fresh milk, butter and the cheese factory produces provolone and other cheeses. 
 

 
  Grande mosque, Agordat Eritrea
Grande mosque, Agordat Eritrea
 
    Agordat

Agordat (Akordat) is located between the Barka river and the Gash river. The area is famous for its banana plantations. The Akat trees or Doum Palms seen along the Barka River are known for their fruit. The Agordat mosque, the second largest in Eritrea was build by Haile Selassie in 1963.
 

 
  Coptic Church, Mendefera Eritrea
Coptic Church, Mendefera Eritrea
 

 
  Mendefera

Mendefera is also known as Adi Ugri. It is a bustling market town. The name derives from the high hill in the center of the city and is a source of pride to the people of Eritrea. Mendefera means "no one dared" and is a reminder of the fierce resistance put up by the local people to the Italian colonialism.
 

 
           
           
 

Congratulations Eritrea - May 24th 2017 - 26 years independence
Feedback: hans @ eritrea.be
 

   

Congratulations Eritrea
May 24th 2018
27 years independence

Eritrean Airlines - connecting Asmara with Amsterdam, Rome, Milano, Frankfurt, Dubai and Djibouti  
           
 
Eritrea A A Adi Hawesha Adi Keih (Adi Keyih) Adi Keshi Adi Nefas  
  Adi Qe Adi Quala (Adi Kwala) Adi Ugri Adi Zemat  
  Adulis Advice (-travel) Afabet Afar  
  Afewerki, Isaias Agordat (Akordat) Airport (Asmara) Airlines  
  Akule Guzai Alicha Altitudes Anseba  
Anthem Arbaroba Arts and musea Asmara (Asmera)
   Assab (Asseb)        
Eritrea B Banks Barentu Barka river Barka region  Bus-planet.com
  Bars (Asmara) Batse Beja Beles  
  Beleza Berbere Bilen Bird-watching  
  Bizen monastery Books Brokers  Buses (-public)  
           
Eritrea C Cableway Car rental Chamber of Commerce Change  
  Christmas card Ciuf Ciufit Climate of Eritrea Coffee ceremony  
  Commission agents Constitution Courier services Credit Cards  
Cuisine Currency Currency Declaration Form Customs
Cycling      
           
Eritrea D Dahlak Islands Danakil Depression Dankalia / Denkalia Debarwa Dehai
  Debre Bizen Debub Debubawi Kayih Bahri Dekemhare  
  Den Den Diaspora Diving Drinks  
           
Eritrea E Economy Education EEBC decisions EEBC map
  Elabered Email /spamming Emba Derho Embassies (Asmara)
  ENCC Eritrean embassies Eritrea map Eritrea 2001
  Eritrea 2002 Eritrea 2003 Eritrea 2004 Eritrea 2005  
  Eritrea 2006 Eritrea 2007 Eritrea 2008 Eritrea 2009 Eritrea Profile
Eritrea 2011 Eritrea 2014 Eritrea 2016 Eritrea 2017
Eritrean Airlines Eri TV Ethiopia, border dispute Ethiopian Imperialism
Ethnic groups ETSA Exchange rates Expo (Asmara)
           
Eritrea F Fenkil Festival Eritrea Filfil Flag
  Food        
       
Eritrea G Gash Setit Gash Barka Ge'ez Geography  
  Gergera Gifts Ghinda (Ginda) Government  
  Guest book Guide Guided tours  Guided hikes  
           
Eritrea H Hagaz Hamasien Health care Hedareb  
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  History of Eritrea History of the Nakfa Holidays, National Hospitals  
Hotel (Asmara) Hotel (Dekemhare) Hotel (Keren) Hotel (Massawa)
Hotel (Mendefera)
           
Eritrea I Immigration Import - export Independence Day Injera  
Internet Service Providers Isaias Afewerki
           
Eritrea J Jehovah's Witnesses
Eritrea K Keren (Cheren) Kohaito Kunama    
           
Eritrea L Languages Links Luggage for Eritrea    
           
Eritrea M Maakel Mai Chehot Mai Habar Mai Nefhi  
  Malaria Map of Eritrea Mariam Dearit Markets (Asmara)  
  Massawa (Massaua) Mendefera Meskel Metera (Metara)  
Ministries (addresses) Ministry of Tourism Money Museum
   Music        
 
Eritrea N Nacfa (town, Nakfa) Nacura Nakfa (currency) Nara  
  National museum National Service Nefasit News  
  Newspapers Nigdet Nokra  
           
Eritrea O Orotta  Orthodox church      
           
Eritrea P People Permits Pictures Port  
  President Price level Provinces Public holidays  
           
Eritrea R Railway Rashaida Recipes Red Sea  
  Refugees Regions Religion /holidays Restaurants (Asmara)  
  Rivers  Routes & distances      
         
Eritrea S Safety Sahel Saho Schools (Asmara) Shabait
  Scuba diving Segeneiti Sembel Sembel Residentional Complex  
  Semenani Bahri Semenani Kayih Bahri Semhar Senafe  
  Senhit Seraye Sex Site map  
  Shopping Shida Sports facilities Stadium (Asmara)  
Suwa
           
Eritrea T Taxi 's Theaters (Asmara) Temporary Security Zone Tessenei (Teseney)
  Thio Tigray Tigre Tigrinya language
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Transport Travel agencies (Asmara) Travel guides Travel permit
Travel stories Tsa' Edakristyan Tselot Tualud Island
       
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Eritrea V Vaccinations Visa      
           
Eritrea W Websites Wedding  Women    
           
Eritrea Z Zawl Zibib (araki) Zigni Zobas  
Zoo (Asmara)
           
Feedback, suggestions, information: feedback@eritrea.be These information pages about Eritrea are the continuation of the information published on "Home page of Mebrat Tzehaie" and "Walking in Asmara" by the same author. By publishing this information we hope to contribute to the development of tourism to Eritrea. The pages are dedicated to my wife, Mebrat Tzehaie, and the people of Eritrea. It is the least I can do to show them my deepest apreciation for the way they treated me when I visited Eritrea in 1999 and every year since.

© 1998 - 2018 Hans van der Splinter and Mebrat Tzehaie