The State of Eritrea is a former Italian colony. Located in Eastern Africa, it consists of 10 provinces. It borders Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan. The most important provinces are Debub, Gash-Barka and Maekel. Eritrea is the 37th largest country in Africa with a surface area of 117,600 square kilometers. Its climate is diverse with a hot and dry desert along the red sea and a semiarid type in the western hills. Its terrain is characterized by highlands with plains to the east and hills to the northwest.
The overall population is over 5 million people. The capital of the country is Asmara, which is also the largest city of the country with more than 1 million inhabitants. Other important cities are Keren, Massawa and Assab. The largest and only international airport is Asmara International Airport (ASM). It connects the country to destinations across Africa, Italy and the Middle East.
The State of Eritrea gained independence from Italy in 1941 but was then administered by the British. Its culture is dominated by a mix of traditions from multiple ethnic groups and the Italian heritage. The main religion of the country is Christianity. The official languages of the nation are Tigrinya, Arab and English. The legal system is a mix of the civil, customary and Islamic law. The government form is a Republic of the one-party system. President Isaias Afwerki is the elected chief of state and the head of government. Elections take place every 5 years.
The official currency is the Eritrean nakfa (ERN) with the current exchange rate being ERN 15 to the USD, a rate that is pegged. Eritrea has a controlled economy, generating a GDP of approximately $11 billion. This makes it the 43rd largest economy in Africa. It has a per capita income of $1,797. The main GDP contributing sectors are services and industry. The main export products are textiles, salt, sorghum, cotton, tobacco and lentils. A lack of guided economic policies and workforce is slowing potential economic growth.
Eritrea is a growing tourism destination offering a variety of especially colonial attractions. It is known for its wildlife and history. There is one natural UNESCO world heritage site. The main tourist activities are sightseeing and animal watching. Some destinations are the capital Asmara, Massawa, the Imperial Palace, Senafe, Dahlak Marine National Park, Filfil and Keren. The majority of the 142,000 yearly tourism visitors is originating from the neighboring African countries and Europe.
