Although it is located in Africa, it is almost unbelievable that this country contains one of the best colonial architectural structures in the world. This country is equivalent to Italy in Africa. Eritrea has a mystery yet to be discovered by the world. They have access to the Dahlak Islands which contains untouched sea reefs in the Red Sea. Rich in historical data with the archaeological sites and artifacts, this is a great place for wonderful discoveries. Their cultures remain intact, diverse, and colorful with nine ethnic groups that are interesting subjects for cultural immersion. Indeed, Eritrea has high hopes of becoming a world-renowned destination.
Eritrea – IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING FACTS
- Soira is the highest point of Eritrea. It measures 3 018 meters high.
- Tigrinya is a member of the Ethiopic branch of Semitic languages with about 6 million speakers and most largely-spoken language mainly in the Tigre region of Ethiopia and in Central Eritrea.
- The Denakil Depression is the lowest point in the country and is considered to be one of the world’s hottest places.
- Tekeze River is the Longest River in Eritrea. For part of its course it forms a section the westernmost border of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
- Asmara is also called the “Italy’s African City” or “New Rome”. Due to the distinctive Italian touch it exudes.
- According to Tigriyan, the meaning of the capital of Eritrea, Asmara means “Made the United”
- Eritrea’s language is called “Nara Bana”, meaning “Nara talk” which derived from the word Nara name means “sky, heaven”.
- Eritrea after Egypt has the second highest archeological historical discoveries in Africa. The number of archeological sites in the country which was 45,000 previously has now increased to 80,000.
- Eritrea literally means “red”, and gets its name after the Red Sea. Sinus Erythraeus was the name the Greek settlers in Egypt (Ptolemaic dynasty) of the third century B.C labeled the body of water between the Arab peninsula and the African continent.
- By 1990, 40% of Eritrean freedom fighters were made up of women. The EPLF had a higher percentage of women than any other liberation army in the world.
Eritrea – COOL, FUNNY AND FUN FACTS
- Eritrea has no official national language.
- Over the years, this is one country in the world where elections have been regularly scheduled and cancelled but none have actually ever been held.
- Eritrea has 10 languages such as Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Saho, Bilen, Afar, Kunana, Nara, Tigre, and Hedareb.
- Due to the forbidding climate of the Dahlak islands, it is believed to have been derived from an Arabic word, ‘Dah’ala’, whose translation is the “gates of hell”.
- There are two universities in Eritrea, the University of Asmara and the Institute of Science and Technology
- During Eritrea’s independence war, at least 3,500 well-trained Cuban troops fought alongside Ethiopians.
- There are at least 12 streets worldwide named after Eritrean cities such as Asmara Drive, Austin, TX – Asmara, Roma, Italia – Asmara Court, Punta Gorda, FL – Asmara Way, Easton, CT – Asmara, Las Vegas, NV – Massaua, Roma, Italia – Assab, Roma, Italia – cheren (Keren), Roma, Italia
- The Red Sea is widening at the rate of about one-half inch per year and will one day become an ocean. About 34 million years ago the Red Sea began to open up. This rift is one of the youngest regions of continental breakup on Earth.
- There are 1,4000 known fish species living in Eritrea’s waters, and 17% of those fishes are found nowhere else. There are also 250 known coral species, in which 20% of those are found only in Eritrea’s Red Sea waters
- Eritrean women fighting alongside their men have been recorded as far back as 1810 A.D. The British explorer Nathaniel Pearce traveled to various areas of the horn region eyewitness accounts of women going to battle alongside their men.
Eritrea – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FACTS
- Isaias Afwerki has been Eritrea’s only president since independence to present.
- The nationalemblem of Eritrea was adopted 24 May 1993 on the occasion of the declaration of independence from The emblem mainly depicts a camel surrounded by a wreath of laurel.
- It is the world’s first country to allocate an entire coastline as a reserve. The Dahlak group of islands is world-renowned for their pearl production and is largely uninhabited.
- Eritrea gained independence in 1993. TheIndependence Day of Eritrea is one of the most important public holidays in the country. It is observed on May 24 every year.
- The port city of Adulis is one of Africa’s most ancient cities. The Greeks founded it in 600 B.C.
- Afar women usually don’t quest courtship with a man who hasn’t killed another man. Afars culture emphasizes a man’s strength and bravery, and prestige comes traditionally from killing one’s enemy.
- Zersenay Tadese was the first person to win an Olympic medal. He is a distance runner in Athens way back 2004. He took bronze in the 10000 meters run.
- As part of Eritrea’s cultural, visiting among friends and relatives is common without invitation.
- In the 1962 nations cup won by Ethiopia, 9 of the 11 starters of that team were Eritreans. Their names were: Lucian Vassalo, Tesfay Gebremedhin, Berhe Goitom (Patata), Etalo Vassalo, Kiflom Araya, Gilamichael Tesfamariam (wedi Mariano), Haile Tesfagaber, Tekle Kidane, Asmelash Berhe, Tsegay Tesfay, Negassi Gebremichael and Berhane Beyene were Eritreans who were part of the 1962 historic Ethiopian National team
- In the early 1940s, the British wanted to turn Eritrea into a Jewish colony. The primary purpose of creating a Jewish colony in Eritrea was to divert Jewish immigration from Palestine and thereby to relax tensions in the British dominion in Palestine itself..
