Eritrea

Introduction to Eritrea

The State of Eritrea, or Eritrea (from the Italian form of the Greek name ΕΡΥΘΡΑΙΑ (Erythraîa; see also List of traditional Greek place names), which derives from the Greek name for the Red Sea), is a country in northeast Africa. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast. The east and northeast of the country has an extensive coastline with the Red Sea. Having achieved independence on May 24, 1993 from Ethiopia, it is one of the youngest independent states.

Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered on the northeast and east by the Red Sea. The country is virtually bisected by the world's longest mountain range, the Great Rift Valley, with fertile lands to the west and the descent to desert in the East. Off the sandy and arid coastline is situated the Dahlak Archipelago and its fishing grounds. The land to the south, in the highlands, is slightly less dry and cooler. Eritrea at the southern end of the Red Sea is the home of the fork in the rift. The Afar Triangle or Danakil Depression of Eritrea is the probable location of a triple junction where three tectonic plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) splitting along the East African Rift Zone (USGS). The highest point of the country, Soira, is located in the centre of Eritrea, at 3018 m above sea level.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Eritrea

The Canadian government and Canadian Content advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below.

The border between Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed, and adjacent areas are part of a special security zone under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.You are advised against all travel to this zone, which stretches 25 km north into Eritrea. On May 24, 2004, an explosion occurred in the main square of Barentu. A strict no-fly zone is in effect between Eritrea and Ethiopia for all aircraft other than those of the United Nations.

The border with Sudan remains closed and you are advised against all travel to the border area. You should not cross the border into Sudan. On March 1, 2004, an explosion occurred in a hotel in Tesseyney. This is the fourth such attack since October 2003. The situation in eastern Sudan remains unstable. Canadians in Eritrea should stay in close contact with the Consulate of Canada in Asmara.