Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government.

Eritrea, officially known as the State of Eritrea, is a sovereign nation strategically located in the Horn of Africa, a prominent region in Eastern Africa. Its bustling capital and largest urban center is Asmara, renowned for its distinctive Art Deco and Futurist architecture, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017. Eritrea shares its borders with Ethiopia to the south, Sudan to the west, and Djibouti to the southeast. A significant portion of its northeastern and eastern flanks boasts an extensive coastline along the Red Sea, a vital global shipping lane and a crossroads of civilizations. The country spans an approximate total area of 117,600 square kilometers (45,406 sq mi) and encompasses important archipelagic territories, including the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands, which are crucial for biodiversity and maritime trade routes.

A Tapestry of Cultures: Eritrea's Diverse Population and Languages

Eritrea is characterized by its rich multi-ethnic composition, home to nine officially recognized ethnic groups, each contributing to the nation's vibrant cultural mosaic. This diversity is reflected in the linguistic landscape, with nine distinct languages spoken across these groups. While there is no official language by law, Tigrinya, Arabic, and English serve as the three widely utilized working languages for government, commerce, and education. The most commonly spoken indigenous language is Tigrinya. Other prominent languages include Tigre, Saho, Kunama, Nara, Afar, Beja, Bilen, and Arabic.

Religious adherence in Eritrea is predominantly divided between Christianity and Islam. The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, part of Oriental Orthodoxy, represents the largest Christian denomination. Alongside Sunni Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Evangelical Lutheranism, these are the four recognized religious institutions. A smaller minority continues to practice traditional indigenous faiths.

Historical Foundations: From Ancient Kingdoms to Modern Statehood

Eritrea's history is deeply rooted in antiquity, with evidence of early human settlements. The region was a significant part of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, a powerful trading empire established during the first or second century AD. This kingdom, covering much of modern-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia, was one of the earliest states in the world to adopt Christianity, embracing it around the middle of the fourth century AD, a pivotal moment that shaped its cultural and religious identity. Aksum's legacy is visible in its monumental obelisks and impressive architectural remains.

Medieval and Colonial Eras

During the medieval period, a significant portion of what is now Eritrea was under the dominion of the Medri Bahri kingdom, often referred to as the "Kingdom of the Sea," which held sway over the Red Sea coast and adjacent highlands. A smaller inland region formed part of the Hamasien province. The emergence of modern-day Eritrea as a distinct political entity is a direct outcome of the incorporation of various independent kingdoms and sultanates, such as the Medri Bahri and the coastal Sultanate of Aussa. This process eventually led to the formation of Italian Eritrea, a colonial possession established by Italy in 1890.

Italian rule, which lasted until 1941, saw significant infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and urban centers like Asmara, but also faced considerable local resistance. Following Italy's defeat in World War II, Eritrea was administered by the British Military Administration from 1942 until 1952.

The Path to Independence

In 1952, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 390 A (V), decided that Eritrea would enter into a federal arrangement with Ethiopia for a period of ten years. Under this arrangement, Eritrea was granted self-governance with its own local parliament and government, while foreign affairs and defense were managed by the Ethiopian federal government. However, this federation proved to be short-lived. In 1962, the Ethiopian government unilaterally annulled the Eritrean parliament and formally annexed Eritrea, integrating it as a province. This act of annexation ignited the Eritrean War of Independence, a protracted armed conflict that began in 1961 with the formation of the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), later joined by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF).

After three decades of arduous struggle, Eritrea achieved de facto independence in 1991, following the defeat of the Ethiopian military regime. Full de jure independence was formally recognized in 1993, after an overwhelming vote in favor of independence in a UN-monitored referendum held in April of that year.

Governance and International Standing

Eritrea operates as a unitary one-party presidential republic. Since its official independence in 1993, national legislative and presidential elections have not been held. Isaias Afwerki has served as the nation's president since this time, leading the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which is the sole legal political party in the country.

The human rights situation in Eritrea has drawn significant international criticism. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch consistently report that the Eritrean government's human rights record is among the most concerning globally. Allegations include widespread arbitrary arrests, detention without trial, severe restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, and indefinite national service that can extend for decades. The Eritrean government, however, has consistently dismissed these allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated and often pointing to external interference as a root cause of internal challenges.

Freedom of the press in Eritrea is extremely limited. The Press Freedom Index, compiled annually by Reporters Without Borders, consistently ranks Eritrea as one of the least free countries for journalists. As of 2021, Reporters Without Borders considered Eritrea to have the overall worst press freedom record in the world, even below North Korea. This dire situation is largely due to the government's stringent control over all media publications and access to information, with no independent media outlets permitted to operate within the country.

On the international stage, Eritrea is a member of several important regional and global organizations, including:

Furthermore, Eritrea holds observer state status in the Arab League, alongside nations like Brazil and Venezuela. This observer status reflects its historical ties, its Red Sea coastline, and the use of Arabic as one of its working languages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eritrea

Where is Eritrea located?
Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa, a strategic peninsula in Eastern Africa, with an extensive coastline along the Red Sea.
What is the capital city of Eritrea?
The capital and largest city of Eritrea is Asmara, recognized by UNESCO for its unique modernist architecture.
What languages are spoken in Eritrea?
Eritrea is a multilingual country with nine recognized ethnic languages. While there's no official language, Tigrinya, Arabic, and English serve as working languages.
When did Eritrea gain its independence?
Eritrea gained de facto independence in 1991 and de jure independence on May 24, 1993, following a UN-monitored independence referendum.
What is Eritrea's political system?
Eritrea is a unitary one-party presidential republic, led by President Isaias Afwerki since 1993, with the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) as the sole legal party.
What are the main religions in Eritrea?
The primary religions practiced in Eritrea are Christianity (predominantly Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church) and Islam (Sunni), along with smaller numbers adhering to traditional faiths.