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Summary: Eritrea is in eastern Africa north of Ethiopia and against the Red Sea, and has a terrain that starts as desert plains on the eastern coast rising to highlands, with hills in the northwest and flat to rolling plains in the southwest. Part of Ethiopia until an uprising in 1991 and a referendum in 1993 completed its independence, Eritrea has an population primarily occupied with subsistence agriculture and faces the challenge of illiteracy and unemployment while opening the economy to private enterprise.
Capital: Asmara
Time Zone: UTC+3
Population: 4,447,307
Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre, Kunama, Tigrinya
Power: 230V, 50 Hz
Currency: Eritrean Nakfa - Currently 1 ERN = 0.0667 USD $
Climate: Eritrea has mixed climates, hot and dry desert conditions along the Red Sea, a cooler and wetter temperate region in the central highlands, and a semiarid environment in the western hills and lowlands. June to September is the rainy season for most of the country except for the desert on the coast.

Asmara: The African Florence, Asmara has Italian influenced architecture, and looks over the surrounding highland plateau. Some of the main sights are the Lombardian Cathedral, one of the city’s main landmarks, the National Museum, housed in a colonial palace, and to the Khalufa el-Rashidin mosque, built with white Carrara marble. Of course, the cafes and bars along National Avenue and the ceramics, crafts and clothing of the main market can’t be missed.

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Keren: Keren is 50 miles northwest of Asmara and despite the fighting that occurred in the area during World War II and the country’s struggle for independence, there are some great places to visit. The Tigu, an Egyptian fort on the northeastern side of town, is great for photographing the landscape, while the town market is a good for shopping, and the shrine of Saint Maryam Dearit is a must visit – accepting a cup of coffee from the women brewing at the feet of an ancient baobab tree in the shrine’s square will grant fertility.

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Massawa: Only 60 miles from the capital, you can go diving off the coast at Massawa or see the Turkish and Egyptian style of the rebuilt city in the main city square, the Campo, or the Sheikh Hanafi Mosque, dating back to the early 16th century. The 350 islands of the Dahlak Archipelago 40 miles away are more great spots for diving and snorkeling, with colorful fish and coral, and the largest of the islands, Dahlak Kebir, noted particularly for the archaeological ruins and ethnic villages.

Local Dress: Casual dress is accepted by the locals, who are fairly easygoing, although you should avoid garish clothes and behavior in general.
Banking and Cash: US currency is almost as important as the local Nakfa, and traveler’s checks can usually be exchanged at the banks, which are open weekdays but closed for a two hour lunch, however, credit cards can rarely be used.
When To Visit: Eritrea is most pleasant outside the wet season, or March to April and September to October. September 1, the Start of the Armed Struggle which celebrating the country’s independence, Kiddus Yohannes, the Orthodox New Year on September 11, and Meskel, the orthodox Christian festival marking the finding of the true cross on September 27, all make September a good month to travel.
Food: Traditional foods in Eritrea are similar to those in Ethiopia. Injera, a spongy bread made from sorghum or wheat, and kitcha, an unleavened flat wheat bread, are some of the staples, and make meals in part with zigni, a meat or vegetable stew, or capretto, roasted goat, with side dishes of beans or lentils. Breakfasts start and end with legamat, a deep-fried dough, or silsi, a tomato, onion and pepper sauce, and enjoy at any time a glass of mies, a honey wine.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually included in your bill, otherwise, add the same in larger restaurants and 5% to 10% in smaller towns.