[[Africa]] | [[Asmara]] | [[https://www.google.co.za/maps/place/Eritrea/@15.1721657,37.189975,837122m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x166d5a3f9dba8565:0x17c208f02f120efa!8m2!3d15.179384!4d39.782334!16zL20vMDJraHM?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D]] ### Culture - **Self-Reliance:** The national motto "Dignity, Unity, and Self-Reliance" is central to Eritrean identity. Decades of isolation have created a society that prides itself on surviving without external aid. - **Coffee Ceremony:** Similar to Ethiopia, the coffee ceremony is a vital social ritual. It involves roasting green beans over coals and serving three rounds of coffee (the _Awol_, _Tona_, and _Bereka_), symbolizing the transition from social gathering to blessing. - **Italian Influence:** The capital, Asmara, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its remarkably preserved **Italian Modernist and Art Deco architecture**. This colonial history is also reflected in the local love for pasta, frittatas, and espresso. - **Cycling:** Cycling is the most popular sport in the country, a legacy of Italian rule. Eritrea produces some of Africa's top professional cyclists who compete in the Tour de France. ### Language - **Official Status:** Eritrea has **no official language** by law, though **Tigrinya**, **Arabic**, and **English** are used for government business and education. - **Usage:** Tigrinya is the most widely spoken language. Italian is still understood by some of the older generation in the capital. ### Important Landmarks - **Fiat Tagliero Building:** A world-famous futuristic petrol station in Asmara built in 1938, designed to look like an airplane with massive cantilevered concrete wings. - **Dahlak Archipelago:** A group of over 100 islands in the Red Sea. Most are uninhabited, offering pristine coral reefs and some of the most untouched diving spots in the world. - **Debre Bizen Monastery:** Perched on a mountain peak, this 14th-century Orthodox monastery offers incredible views but is strictly closed to women. - **The Steam Railway:** A narrow-gauge railway connecting Asmara and Massawa, featuring vintage 1930s locomotives that are still maintained by a dedicated group of elderly engineers. ### Major Historical Events 1. **Italian Colony (1890–1941):** Known as _Eritrea Italiana_, it served as the industrial heart of Italy’s short-lived empire in Africa. 2. **The War for Independence (1961–1991):** A 30-year-long struggle against Ethiopia that ended with Eritrean forces capturing Asmara and eventually gaining recognized independence in 1993. 3. **The 1998–2000 Border War:** A devastating conflict with Ethiopia that led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and the total militarization of Eritrean society. 4. **Current Political Standoff (February 2026):** Relations with Ethiopia have soured again. As of early February 2026, Ethiopia has demanded that Eritrea withdraw troops from disputed territories in the Tigray region, while Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of planning an invasion to seize the port of **Assab**. ### Major Exports The economy is state-controlled and largely subsistence-based, but mineral wealth is a growing sector. As of 2026: - **Mining (Copper, Zinc, Gold):** The Bisha and Colluli mines are the country's primary source of foreign currency. - **Sorghum and Livestock:** Small-scale agricultural exports primarily to regional neighbors. - **Textiles:** A modest garment industry centered in the highlands. ### Important People - **Isaias Afwerki:** The only President Eritrea has ever had since independence in 1993. He turned 80 in February 2026 and maintains absolute control over the country. - **Biniam Girmay:** A world-class professional cyclist who became the first Black African to win a stage at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, becoming a national hero. - **Abune Antonios:** The late Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church who became a symbol of resistance after being held under house arrest for 15 years for opposing government interference in the church.