Importance of Eritrea

Eritrea is important to Africa because of its strategic position on the Red Sea.Eritrea has the ability to become a great economic power due to its natural resources such as gold.zinc,copper,salt,natural gas and fish.

Why Eritrea

I chose Eritrea because it is not one of the most popular countries in Africa. When Africa is mentioned you often think of South Africa,Nigeria,Egypt,Libya(since it has been in the news often lately),Kenya,Democratic Republic of Congo,and Uganda. Eritrea is a hidden beauty on the Red Sea. It is a small country about the size of Pennsylvania,but it definitely is not afraid to go to war. It seems economic development is not a reality because of the amount of wars. Obviously Eritrea allocates a good portion of its income to defense. It is not a democracy as of yet,but possibly with different leadership it may become a democratic country one day. I was immediately mesmerized by the beauty of Eritrea. It definitely has the flair of European country. I would love to visit one day.
Source:http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/africa/eritrea.shtml

Present State of Eritrea

At independence the current President of Eritrea Isias Aferweki promised to implement a constitution  that has not happened as of yet.

• Erirea has no privately owned media sources all media sources are owned by the government
• Islam amd Christian are the main religions and the current government is known for discriminating against Jehovah's Witness as it is not recognized as an official religion.
• Women in the cities usch as Asmara tend to have more equal roles and are more likely to be literate than women in the rural areas.
• 1998-2000 Eritrea and Ethiopia were at war over border disputes. There wasaid to be more than 100,000 casualties of this war. June2000 Eritrea nad Ethiopia decide on a peace agreement. But tension is still present today.
• Since 2002 Eritrea has disputed with Yemen about fishing rights on the Red Sea.
• June 2008 another border war emerges between Eritrea and Djibouti.
• June 2009 The United Nations  Security Council requires Eritrea to come up with a diplomatic resolution to the border dispute with Djibouti.
• December 2009 the United Nations imposed sanctions on Eritrea due to the belief that Eritrea supported Islamic terrorist in Somalia.
• Source www.state.gov

Women in Eritrea

Source: www.youtube.com

Italian Influence

www.youtube.com

History

Eritrea has a rather interesting history. Eritrea is no stranger to colonialism and conflict. Here is a timeline of Eritrea's history for easier reading:
-1869 Italy occupies the port of Assab
-1889 Italy occupies all of Eritrea
1935-1936-Italy uses Eritrea as a means to conquer Ethiopia
1941-1952 Great Britain becomes the colonial power in Eritrea after the Italians lose in World War II.
1952- United Nations resolution federates Eritrea with Ethiopia
1961-The Eritrean Liberation Front(ELF) begins a struggle for independence from Ethiopia. This would last over 30years.
1962- Federations ends and Eritrea becomes a province of Ethiopia.The ELF is split and another group forms the Eritrean Popular Liberation Front(EPLF). Many of the soldiers in the EPLF army were women.
1993- May 24,1993 Eritrea is granted independence from Ethiopia .
1997- The EPLF becomes the People's Front for Democracy and Justice the only political party in the country.
Source:

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2854.htm and Global Studies Africa 13th edition

General Facts

Capital : Asmara
Major Languages:Tigrinya,Tigre,Kunama,Arabic,Amharic,and Afar
Ethnic Makeup: 50% ethnic Tigrinya;40% Tigre and Kunama; 4% Afar,3% Saho; 3% others
Religions: Muslim;Coptic Christian;Roman Catholic; Protestant
Currency: nakfa
Government Type: transitional government
Independence Date: May 24,1993 from Ethiopia
Eritrea is Africa's newest country
President: Isaias Aferweki
Political Parties:People's Front for Democracy and Justice(only party that is recognized)
Occupations:80% of the people work in agriculture
Source: Global Studies  Africa 13th Edition