Celso Salles
Did you know that Eritrea is one of the newest countries in the world? Yet, historically privileged to be one of the earliest African countries to be introduced to modern technology? Or that it was a center for commercial activities in the Horn of Africa in the early 1900s? Or that its people struggled for more than thirty years to secure their independence? Or that one of the great Russian literary figures, Alexander Pushkin has his roots in Eritrea? Indeed, Eritrea is a land of diverse and fascinating history that many people don’t know much about.Location the Horn of AfricaArea 124,300 sq. km.Red sea Coastlines 1,151 km.Neighboring states Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, YemenLowest area Kobar Sink, -75 metersHighest Point Amba Soira, 3,013 metersCapital city AsmaraOther cities and towns Massawa, Assab, Keren, Dekamare,MendeferaClimate lowland area from 25-40centigradesHighland area from 10-30 degree centigradeTime zone +3GMTMain seaports Massawa, AssabPopulationPopulation size: 3.56 million (2002)Religion: Christianity ( Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches), MuslimEthnic groups: Nine ethnic groupsA way of life: 60 percent lives in rural areas,40 percent lives in urban areasMajor economic sectorsAgriculture: Agriculture about 20 percent ofGDPInfrastructure: 14,560kms road, 10 international and local airports, airstrips,15 massive bridge infrastructureFree Zone area: 200,000 square meters of coastlines for use of industrial areas with better opportunity for investors.Mining: 14,000 kilograms of potential gold reserves: others include base metal deposits, industrial minerals, construction materials and geothermal potentials.Fisheries: Virgin territory in the richest part of the Red Sea.Tourism: Historical and archaeological sites that are comparable with Egypt and other east African ancient civilizations.In Eritrea sectors with high prospects for development and lucrative investment opportunities.
