|
Location & Geography of Eritrea
|
Land
boundaries
|
1,630 km
|
|
Djibouti
|
113
km
|
|
Ethiopia
|
912
km
|
|
Sudan
|
605
km
|
|
Coastline
|
1,200 km
|
|
Land
+ island coastline
|
2,234 km
|
|
|
|
Eritrea is located in North East Africa (between 12° and 18° north,
and 36° and 44° east) and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and other
islands along the
Red Sea
coast. It is bordered by Sudan to the north and west, Ethiopia to
the south, Djibouti to the south-east and the
Red Sea
to the north and north-east.
With a land area of about 125.000 km2, Eritrea is about the size of
England, or the state of Pennsylvania in the USA. The coastline
measures around 1.200 km and off it there are over 350 islands, of
which 210 comprise the area of the
Dahlak Archipelago.
Sea
floor spreading occurs in the Red Sea, creating new land, and in the
Afar triangle, only one of the two places on earth were it occurs on
dry land (the other being Iceland). Many of the mountains in Eritrea
are remnants of when Africa was joined to the Arabian peninsula,
millions of years ago.
Eritrea was known at times as Mareb Mellash ("This side of the Mareb
River") or Bahrmeder ("Sealand"). The name "Eritrea" is of foreign
origin and has been attributed to a derivative of the ancient Greek
cartographic designation, Mare Erythrean ("Red Sea"), fragment 67 of
Aeschylus:
There the sacred waters of the Erythrean Sea break upon a bright red
strand, and at no great distance from the ocean lies a copper-tinted
lake - the lake that is the jewel of Ethiopia - where the
all-pervading sun returns again and again to plunge his immortal
form, and finds solace for his weary round in gentle ripples that
are but warm caress.
It
was not until the arrival of the Italians in the 19th century
however that the country was officially called Eritrea.
Eritrea looks like a funnel; wide in the northwest and tapering to a
narrow strip in the south-east.
Topographically, the
country consists of three regions:
·
The
first region is a narrow eastern lowland desert strip along the Red Sea
coast that accounts for around 33% of the land area
coast.
The land in this area is mostly infertile due to the high salt content
and a year round average temperature of 25 Celsius.
·
The
second
region
is the northern extension of the Ethiopian Plateau in the north-central
region which is dissected by the valleys of westward flowing rivers,
which runs Eritrea's border with Ethiopia. This area is the most fertile
area of the country, receiving up to 900 mm of rain per year; the area
has been the site of the war between
Eritrea
and Ethiopia for 40 years. Elevation of up to 3000 meters
above
sea level makes the climate more moderate in this area than in the
coastal region.
·
The
third geographical region is the western plains, which occupy the vast
area extending to Eritrea's western border with Sudan. This is the
most arid area in the
country, receiving only 200 mm of rain per year.
The
major rivers in Eritrea are the Anseba and Barka river flowing north;
the Gash and Tekeze rivers on the border with Ethiopia flowing west into
Sudan. The upper course of the Gash river is known as the Mereb river.
These rivers are not year round rivers. They do not run on a regular
basis, but fed by seasonal rains called azmera and kremti.
The
highest point is the mountain called Emba Soira (9,880 feet or 3,010
meter). The lowest point is the Kobar Sink in the Danakil Depression
(380 feet or 116 meter below sea level).
Eritrea
is three hours ahead of GMT. There is a two hour time difference between
continental Europe and Eritrea, except when Europe is on Summer time.
Then the difference is only one hour (ahead). There is an eight hour
time difference (ahead) between USA Eastern Standard Time and Eritrea,
which is reduced to seven during Daylight Savings Time.
Eritrea - regions
and provinces
immediately after the EPLF took over Eritrea, ten provinces were
established - based on the eight regions existing under the Italian
administrative model, but with Gash Setit separated from Barka and
Asmara split from Hamasien.
|
Former
administrative regions (until 1995)
|
|
Province
|
Capital
|
Est.
pop. (city)
|
|
Akule Guzai
|
Adi Qayeh (Adekeieh)
|
23,000
|
|
Asmara (Asmera)
|
Asmara (Asmera)
|
500,600
|
|
Barka
|
Agordat (Akordat)
|
25,000
|
|
Denkalia
|
Assab (Asseb)
|
21,300
|
|
Gash Setit
|
Barentu
|
16,200
|
|
Hamasien
|
Asmara (Asmera)
|
500,600
|
|
Sahel
|
Nacfa (Nakfa)
|
25.000
|
|
Semhar
|
Massawa (Mitsiwa)
|
23,100
|
|
Senhit
|
Keren (Cheren)
|
74,800
|
|
Seraye
|
Mendefera (Adi Ugri)
|
17,500
|
|
Total
Eritrea
|
Asmara (Asmera)
|
121,100
|
500,600
|
|
2002 Population data: Ministry of local Government Eritrea
|
Eritrea - major
towns
|
Place
|
Administrative region
|
Variants of the name
|
Elevation
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
meter
|
feet
|
|
|
|
Adi Keih
|
Debub
|
Adi Keyh, Adi Qayeh, Adi
Kai, Adi Kaiih, Addi Caieh, Addicaie, Âddî K'eyih
|
2420
|
7942
|
14 51 N
|
39 22 E
|
|
Adi Qala
|
Debub
|
Adi Quala, Adi Kuala, Adi
Kwala, Adi Qala
|
2053
|
6738
|
14 38 N
|
39 50 E
|
|
Agordat
|
Gash Barka
|
Akurdet, Ak'ordat
|
637
|
2093
|
15 32 N
|
37 53 E
|
|
Assab
|
Southern Red Sea Zone
|
Assab, Asseb, Aseb, Asab
|
0
|
0
|
13 00 N
|
42 44 E
|
|
Asmara
|
Maakel
|
Asmera
|
2363
|
7755
|
15 20 N
|
38 56 E
|
|
Barentu
|
Gash Barka
|
|
994
|
3264
|
15 07 N
|
37 36 E
|
|
Beilul
|
Southern Red Sea Zone
|
Beylul, Bêylul
|
13
|
45
|
13 16 N
|
42 20 E
|
|
Dekemhare
|
Debub
|
Dek'emhare,
Decamere, Dekemehare, Decamhare, Dek'emhâre
|
1979
|
6496
|
15 04 N
|
39 03 E
|
|
Ghinda
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
Ghinda'e, Ginda, Gînda
|
1246
|
4091
|
15 27 N
|
39 03 E
|
|
Hirgigo
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
Hargigo, Harkiko, Arkiko,
Archico
|
6
|
22
|
15 32 N
|
39 27 E
|
|
Iddi
|
Southern Red Sea Zone
|
Idi, Ed, Edd, Êdd
|
8
|
29
|
13 56 N
|
41 41 E
|
|
Keren
|
Anseba
|
Cheren, Kheren
|
1401
|
4599
|
15 47 N
|
38 28 E
|
|
Mendefera
|
Debub
|
Adi Ugri, Âddî Ugrî
|
1986
|
6519
|
14 53 N
|
38 49 E
|
|
Mersa Fatma
|
Northen Red Sea Zone
|
Mersa Fatuma
|
1
|
6
|
14 54 N
|
40 18 E
|
|
Massawa
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
Mits'iwa'e,
Massoua, Massaua, Mesewa, Massowa, Mits'iwa
|
0
|
0
|
15 37 N
|
39 29 E
|
|
Nacfa
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
Nakfa, Nac'fa, Nak'fa
|
1556
|
5108
|
16 40 N
|
38 29 E
|
|
Nefasit
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
|
1991
|
6535
|
15 20 N
|
39 04 E
|
|
Om Hager
|
Gash Barka
|
Om Hajer, Umm Hajar, Om
Hajer, Om Ager
|
599
|
1968
|
14 20 N
|
36 39 E
|
|
Senafe
|
Debub
|
Sen'afe
|
2364
|
7759
|
14 41 N
|
39 25 E
|
|
Tessenei
|
Gash Barka
|
Teseney
|
584
|
1919
|
15 08 N
|
36 40 E
|
|
Thio
|
Southern Red Sea Zone
|
T'i'o, Tiio, Tiyo
|
0
|
0
|
14 42 N
|
40 58 E
|
|
Zula
|
Northern Red Sea Zone
|
|
22
|
75
|
15 15 N
|
39 40 E
|
Eritrea - routes and
distances
|
Asmara -
Adi Quala
|
|
Adi Guadad
|
12 km
|
Adi
Akelas
|
71 km
|
|
Selae
Da'ero
|
19 km
|
Ahmni
Haili
|
76 km
|
|
Sheketi
|
27 km
|
Shega
Ayamo
|
81 km
|
|
Debarwa (Dbarwa / Debarua)
|
36 km
|
Denghwelo
|
85 km
|
|
Halhal (Halhale)
|
39 km
|
Adelgese
|
88 km
|
|
Tera
Emni (Teramni)
|
46 km
|
Adi Quala (Adi Qala / Adi Kwala)
|
92 km
|
|
Guala
|
48 km
|
Enda
Gherghis
|
109 km
|
|
Shega
Wedi Bisrat
|
51 km
|
Ksad Ika
|
116 km
|
|
Mendefera (Adi Ugri)
|
60 km
|
Mereb
(Ethiopian border)
|
121 km
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Mensura
|
|
Kushet
|
8 km
|
Ila
Golma (Ela Golma)
|
58 km
|
|
Tsa'edakristyan
|
11 km
|
Embed
Bekeli
|
63 km
|
|
Tse'azega
|
17 km
|
Mai
Medef (Mai Medaf)
|
67 km
|
|
Adi
Gheberu (Adi Gebru)
|
21 km
|
Arha
Go'ul (Arha Gu'ul)
|
77 km
|
|
Adi
Warhiseb (Adi Worhiseb)
|
29 km
|
Ghergher
Wedi Chirwa
|
80 km
|
|
Mekarka
(Mekerka)
|
32 km
|
Inter
Ghergher
|
84 km
|
|
Deki
Shehaye
|
37 km
|
Sherf
Megawida
|
94 km
|
|
Melat
Zanoy
|
46 km
|
Mensura
|
106 km
|
|
Denagul
|
54 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Senafe
|
|
Adi
Hawesha
|
14 km
|
Endehush
|
88 km
|
|
Zegeb (Zegub)
|
17 km
|
Adi Kuta
|
94 km
|
|
Waekerti
|
30 km
|
Aba
Selam
|
100 km
|
|
Awlih
Tseru
|
33 km
|
Ruba Adi
Uwegra
|
105 km
|
|
Dekemhare (Decemhare / Decamere)
|
40 km
|
Adi Keyh (Adi Kaieh / Adi Keih)
|
111 km
|
|
Afelba
|
50 km
|
Tekonda
|
114 km
|
|
Degra
|
53 km
|
Minak (Menak)
|
117 km
|
|
Ma'ereba
|
56 km
|
Keskes
|
128 km
|
|
Segeneti (Seganeti / Segeneiti)
|
62 km
|
Akeb
Tarig
|
130 km
|
|
Degra
Lebe'a
|
67 km
|
Senafe
|
135 km
|
|
Digusa
|
71 km
|
Dubdub
|
142 km
|
|
Adi
Hadid
|
76 km
|
Kisat
Bruch
|
149 km
|
|
Mai
Seraw
|
78 km
|
Mai
Tsehada
|
154 km
|
|
|
|
Mendefera - Adi Bahailai
|
|
Adi
Aklas
|
12 km
|
Emba
Merach
|
26 km
|
|
Imni
Haili
|
16 km
|
Turke
|
32 km
|
|
Durko
(Dirko)
|
19 km
|
Kudo
Abutsur
|
36 km
|
|
Adi
Herwa (Adi Hurwa)
|
28 km
|
Adi
Bahailai
|
42 km
|
|
|
|
Mendefera - Qinafna
|
|
Kudo
Felasi
|
4 km
|
Emba
Gelay
|
21 km
|
|
Deranto
|
10 km
|
Endaba
Shiuk
|
26 km
|
|
Debri
|
15 km
|
Qinafna
|
36 km
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Tessenei
|
|
Adi Abeito
|
5 km
|
Keren (Cheren)
|
91 km
|
|
Emba Derho (Embaderho)
|
12 km
|
Tenkulahaz
|
97 km
|
|
Mai
Menka
|
18 km
|
Gordu
|
106 km
|
|
Serejeka
|
22 km
|
Humed
|
109 km
|
|
Shima
Negus
|
23 km
|
Hagaz
|
116 km
|
|
Ade
Kolem
|
25 km
|
Aderde
|
132 km
|
|
Geshinashum
|
29 km
|
Ingerne
|
154 km
|
|
Dekemhare Dembesan
|
35 km
|
Agordat (Akurdet / Akordat)
|
172 km
|
|
Adi
Teklezan
|
39 km
|
Mogolo
|
202 km
|
|
Adi
Keretz
|
47 km
|
Barentu
|
237 km
|
|
Shindua
|
52 km
|
Adi
Keshi
|
268 km
|
|
Habrengaqha
|
58 km
|
Gonjeh
|
272 km
|
|
Balua
|
61 km
|
Haykota (Haicota)
|
307 km
|
|
Adi
Berbere
|
64 km
|
Tessenei (Teseney / Tessenai)
|
357 km
|
|
Elabered (Elabored)
|
68 km
|
Adi
Gedur
|
366 km
|
|
Ruba
Anseba
|
75 km
|
Telaka
Asher
|
387 km
|
|
Halib Mentel
|
80 km
|
Kassala
|
425 km
|
|
Derkok
|
83 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Nacfa
|
|
Keren (Cheren)
|
91 km
|
Gezgeza
(Gz'Gza)
|
124 km
|
|
Humel
Malo
|
106 km
|
Afabet
|
157 km
|
|
Genfelam
|
114 km
|
Nacfa (Nakfa)
|
227 km
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Solomona
|
|
Serejeka
(Meleh)
|
21 km
|
Sabur
|
54 km
|
|
Afdew
|
23 km
|
Fatjoi
|
60 km
|
|
Kondoba
|
28 km
|
Medhanid
|
61 km
|
|
Dekeseb
|
31 km
|
Merama
|
66 km
|
|
Zagr (Zager)
|
33 km
|
Filfil (Fil Fil)
|
68 km
|
|
Weki
|
34 km
|
Wina
|
75 km
|
|
Adi
Anagole
|
38 km
|
Solomona
|
100 km
|
|
|
|
Assab -
Kombelcha
|
|
Giwodo
|
25 km
|
Tendaho
|
300 km
|
|
Banda
|
100 km
|
Mili
|
330 km
|
|
Kantonera
|
150 km
|
Ela Wuha
|
360 km
|
|
Elida
|
160 km
|
Bahti
|
440 km
|
|
Baradiso
|
185 km
|
Kombelcha
|
465 km
|
|
Sardo
|
200 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Zagr
|
|
Akria
|
3 km
|
Zidishega
|
27 km
|
|
Adi Nefas
|
9 km
|
Azen
|
28 km
|
|
Beleza
|
11 km
|
Defere
|
33 km
|
|
Anza
|
16 km
|
Zagr (Zager)
|
35 km
|
|
Quazen
|
23 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agordat
- Sawa
|
|
Igber
Mana
|
15 km
|
Rubabar
|
70 km
|
|
Shegelet
|
30 km
|
Yimel
|
85 km
|
|
Shatara
|
50 km
|
Khieru (Gheru)
|
100 km
|
|
Mogo
Rayb
|
70 km
|
Sawa (Saua)
|
130 km
|
|
|
|
Tessenei
- Um Hajer
|
|
Kurumdut
|
20 km
|
Hilat
|
95 km
|
|
Kerset
|
30 km
|
Um Hajer
(Omhajer / Om Hager)
|
114 km
|
|
Guluj (Golluig)
|
45 km
|
Humora
|
124 km
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Leban
|
|
Adi
Rassi
|
18 km
|
Mereb
|
26 km
|
|
Kutmo
Awlih
|
21 km
|
Himbirti
|
34 km
|
|
Abarda /
Mai Nefhi
|
25 km
|
Leban (Liban)
|
44 km
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Sula'ahefera
|
|
Debarwa (Dbarwa / Debarua)
|
36 km
|
Adi
Kune'el
|
47 km
|
|
Halhale
|
39 km
|
Dekutsena
|
56 km
|
|
Adi
Gheda
|
42 km
|
Adi
Nahabay
|
58 km
|
|
Adi
Beshannes
|
44 km
|
Adi
Felesti
|
64 km
|
|
Amadir
|
55 km
|
Sula'afera
|
72 km
|
|
|
|
Dekemhare - Mendefera
|
|
Querbarya
|
12 km
|
Adi
Rassi
|
21 km
|
|
Adi
Ghena
|
17 km
|
Tera
Emni (Teramni)
|
29 km
|
|
Adi
Nefas
|
18 km
|
Mendefera (Adi Ugri)
|
44 km
|
|
|
|
Dekemhare - Tsorona
|
|
Mai
Edaga
|
11 km
|
Hadish
Adi
|
43 km
|
|
Gura'e
|
15 km
|
Kelai
Ba'altet
|
48 km
|
|
Adi
Nebri
|
25 km
|
Atira
|
56 km
|
|
Gheniseba
|
37 km
|
Tsorona
|
66 km
|
|
Mai Aini
(Mai Aine)
|
38 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dekemhare - Nefasit
|
|
Keyh Kor
|
7 km
|
Bazit
|
23 km
|
|
Selah
|
10 km
|
Mai Habar
|
35 km
|
|
Gadien
|
17 km
|
Nefasit / Debre Bizen
|
47 km
|
|
|
|
Mendefera - Molki
|
|
Awi Adi
|
10 km
|
Adi
Gordi
|
36 km
|
|
Adi
Gurotto
|
21 km
|
Areza (Arezza)
|
42 km
|
|
Adeba
Abdu
|
27 km
|
Mai Dima
|
60 km
|
|
Hatzina
|
30 km
|
Molki
|
92 km
|
|
Deka
Worasi
|
34 km
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asmara -
Assab
|
|
Shegerni
|
8 km
|
Zula
|
174 km
|
|
Arberebou
|
11 km
|
Irafayle
|
194 km
|
|
Nefasit / Debre Bizen
|
25 km
|
Ila Asa
|
206 km
|
|
Embatkala (Imbat Kalla / Embatcala)
|
37 km
|
Ruba
Dale
|
210 km
|
|
Ghinda
|
48 km
|
Bordele
|
225 km
|
|
Dongolo
(Dongollo)
|
52 km
|
Ghela'elo (Galelo)
|
244 km
|
|
Dongolo
Tahtay
|
59 km
|
Akilo
|
253 km
|
|
Gahtielay( Gahtelay / Ghatelai)
|
73 km
|
Burai
|
260 km
|
|
Mai Atal
|
85 km
|
Mersa
Fatuma (Mersa Fatma)
|
275 km
|
|
Dogali
|
94 km
|
Garsai
|
289 km
|
|
Hitibelew
|
108 km
|
Goro'roha
|
323 km
|
|
Mitsua (Massawa)
|
115 km
|
Tio (Thio)
|
363 km
|
|
Hirghigo
(Hirgigo)
|
130 km
|
Idi (Iddi
/ Edi)
|
483 km
|
|
Lahzin
|
141 km
|
Bera'esoli
|
553 km
|
|
Wi'a
|
155 km
|
Beylul (Beilul)
|
613 km
|
|
Foro (Forro)
|
169 km
|
Assab (Asseb / Aseb / Asab)
|
673 km
|
|
|
Source: eritrea.be
|
