Eritrea

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 it 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.

Governors Palace, Asmara Eritrea

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 is derived from Arbaete Asmara which literally means, in the Tigrinya language, "the four (villages) are united".

Harnet Avenue, Asmara Eritrea

The main port serving Eritrea, Massawa (Massaua) became an urban center in ancient times. It 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.

Turkish architecture, Massawa Eritrea

Nacfa 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. It is therefore the heart of collective Eritrean self-determination. The Eritrean currency, Nakfa, is named after this town.

The mosque of Nacfa, Sahel Eritrea

The mountain city Keren, which means "highland" is one of the five major secondary towns in Eritrea. It 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.

Traditional dwellings, Keren Eritrea

Agordat 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 mosque, the second largest in Eritrea was build by Haile Selassie in 1963.

The mosque of Agordat, Eritrea

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. It means "no one dared" and is a reminder of the fierce resistance put up by the local people to the Italian colonialism.

Coptic church, Mendefera Eritrea

Eritrea A-Z

Abune Phillipos

Adi Keih (Aids Keyih)

Adi Keshi

Adi Nefas

Adi Quala (Adi Kwala)

Adi Ugri

Adulis

Advice (faq)

Afabet

Afar

Afewerki, Isaias

Agordat (Akordat)

Air travel to Eritrea

Akule Guzai

Alicha

Altitudes

Anseba

Anthem of Eritrea

Arts and musea

Asmara (Asmera)

Asseb (Assab)

Banks in Eritrea

Barentu

Barka river

Barka region

Bars (Asmara)

Batse

Beja

Beles

Beleza

Berbere

Bilen

Bizen monastery

Books about Eritrea

Buses (-public)

Cableway

Capital of Eritrea

Car rental

Chamber of Commerce

Change

Climate of Eritrea

Coffee ceremony

Constitution of Eritrea

Courier services

Credit Cards

Cuisine

Cultures of Eritrea

Currency

Customs

Cycling

Dahlak Islands

Danakil Depression

Dankalia / Denkalia

Debarwa

Debre Bizen

Debub

Debubawi Kayih Bahri

Dekemhare

Den Den

Dengue

Diaspora

Diarrhoea

Diving in Eritrea

Drinks

Economy of Eritrea

Education

EEBC decisions

EEBC map

Elabored

Emba Derho

Embassies (Asmara)

Eritrean embassies

Eritrea

Eritrea 2001

Eritrea 2002

Eritrea 2003

Eritrea 2004

Eritrea 2005

Eritrea 2006

Eritrea 2007

Eritrean Airlines

Ethiopia, border dispute

Ethiopian Imperialism

Ethnic groups

ETSA

Exchange rates

Expo (Asmara)

Fenkil

Festival Eritrea 2006

Filfil

Flag of Eritrea

Food

Gash Setit

Gash Barka

Ge'ez

Geography of Eritrea

Gifts

Ghinda (Ginda)

Government of Eritrea

Guest book

Guide

Guided tours

Geographic position of Eritrea

Hagaz

Hamasien

Health care

Hedareb

Hembesha

Himbirti

History of Asmara

History of Eritrea

History of the Nakfa

Hospitals

Hotel (Asmara)

Hotel (Dekemhare)

Hotel (Keren)

Hotel (Massawa)

Hotel (Mendefera)

Immigration

Import - export

Independence Day

Injera

Internet Service Providers

Isaias Afewerki

Keren (Cheren)

Kohaito

Kunama

Languages in Eritrea

Links about Eritrea

Luggage for Eritrea

Maakel

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

Nacfa (town, Nakfa))

Nacura

Nakfa (currency)

Nara

National museum

National Service

Nefasit

News about Eritrea

Nigdet

Nokra

Nobile

Orotta

People of Eritrea

Permits

Pictures of Eritrea

Port

President of Eritrea

Price level

Provinces of Eritrea

Public holidays

Railway

Rashaida

Recipes

Red Sea

Regions of Eritrea

Religion /holidays

Restaurants (Asmara)

Rivers in Eritrea

Routes & distances

Safety

Sahel

Saho

Schools (Asmara)

Scuba diving

Segeneiti

Sembel

Sembel Residentional Complex

Semenani Bahri

Semenani Kayih Bahri

Semhar

Senafe

Senhit

Seraye

Site map

Shopping

Shida

Sports facilities

Stadium (Asmara)

Suwa

Taxi 's

Theaters (Asmara)

Temporary Security Zone

Tessenei (Teseney)

Thio

Tigray

Tigre

Tigrinya language

Tigrinya people

Time (local)

TPLF manifesto

Transport in Eritrea

Travel agencies in Eritrea

Travel guides about Eritrea

Travel stories about Eritrea

Tsa' Edakristyan

Tsebhi

Tualud Island

UN representations in Eritrea

UNMEE HQ (Asmara)

University (Asmara)

Vaccinations

Visa for Eritrea

War Eritrea Ethiopia

Websites about Eritrea

Women

Zawl

Zibib

Zigni

Zobas

Zoo (Asmara)

Who is Mebrat Tzehaie?

Mebrat Tzehaie is my wife. Born in Asmara Eritrea, she came to Holland in 1980 and now works for the local government of Rotterdam. She also was the secretary of the New Union of Eritrean Women in the area of Rotterdam.

She knows I love her very much. So what am I going to do with my other love, my HP Pavilion? That is what you can find on these Eritrean information pages. Making these pages also was a great help to learn a lot about Eritrea myself. I would like to share this knowledge with those who are planning to visit Eritrea and others interested in the country.

Berhe Berhane, Koos de Bruin, Sylvie Audet (UNMEE), Anne Alders and many others provided pictures to add to our story of Eritrea.

Mebrat is proud. Please sign her guest book.

Hans van der Splinter studied Development Economics at the University of Rotterdam and now works as a financial accountant for Logica.

I visited Eritrea in 1999 and every year since. Mebrat was the motivation to start writing these pages about Eritrea, and the more I wrote, the more I learned and wanted to share about Eritrea and its people. The Eritrean people treated me so nice during my holidays in Eritrea, that making these pages is the least I can do to show them my deepest appreciation.

Finally, the Ethiopians locked me in in Eritrea in June 2000 by bombing the airport of Asmara. I than had all the time to gather general and tourist information to finish these pages, and became "part of the family", proud to spend my energy and time on Eritrea, with respect to those who gave their lives to liberate and safeguard the independence of their country.