General background: Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia
in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation
of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year
struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean
rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was
overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two and
a half year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998
ended under UN auspices on 12 December 2000. Eritrea currently
hosts a UN peacekeeping operation that will monitor the
border region until an international commission determines
and demarcates the boundary between the two countries.
Area comparative: Slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Climate: Hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea
coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up
to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in western hills
and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September
except in coastal desert.
Terrain: Dominated
by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands,
descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the
northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling
plains.
Population: 4,465,651 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: Ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and
Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%,
other 3%
Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic,
Protestant
Language: Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama,
Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Government type: Transitional government
Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Legal system: Primary basis is the Ethiopian
legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial,
and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; also
relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws
and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law.
Economic overview: Since independence from Ethiopia
on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic problems
of a small, desperately poor country. Like the economies
of many African nations, the economy is largely based
on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population
involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea
war in 1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP
growth in 1999 fell to less than 1%, and GDP decreased
by 8.2% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into
northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property
damage and loss, including losses of $225 million in
livestock and 55,000 homes. The attack prevented planting
of crops in Eritrea's most productive region, causing
food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war,
Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure,
asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing
war damaged roads and bridges. Eritrea's economic future
remains mixed. The cessation of Ethiopian trade, which
mainly used Eritrean ports before the war, leaves Eritrea
with a large economic hole to fill. Eritrea's economic
future depends upon its ability to master fundamental
social problems like illiteracy, unemployment, and low
skills, and to convert the diaspora's money and expertise
into economic growth.
Communication/Telephone system: Inadequate
Places of interest:
Travel tips: Although the situation for travelers
to Eritrea has improved immeasurably, travel after dark
is ill-advised and border areas should still be avoided.
Also, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, it's
advisable to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations,
particularly in Islamic regions. Check with your nearest
embassy for the latest developments before undertaking
a trip to Eritrea.
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