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Eritrea Travel Information
Travel Alert Status
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Travel Climate
The climate in the central highlands, including Asmara, is near perfection, usually in the 70’s or 80’s during the day, cooling off to the 50’s at night. There is little humidity and it seldom rains except during the July/August rainy season when daily afternoon showers are the norm. Asmara receives about 21 inches of rain each year. April, May and June are the warmest months on the plateau, with the cooler season stretching from November to March.
Temperatures in the lowlands can be scorchingly hot, typically ranging from 105°F to 120°F, sometimes more, in August. Along the coast, including in the port cities of Massawa and Assab, high humidity often accompanies the heat. Winter highs here are around 90, with evening temperatures in the 70s.
Travel Currency
15.38
Language Spoken
Eritrea has no official language. Tigrinya, Arabic and English are all government, working languages. Tigrinya is spoken by highlanders, and is related to Tigre, spoken by people in the western and eastern lowlands. They use an ancient Ge'ez script. Like Arabic, they are both Semitic tongues. Arabic is widely used in commerce.
Languages
Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Ethnic Groups
ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%
National Holiday
Independence Day, 24 May (1991)
Geographic Coordinates
15 00 N, 39 00 E
Location
Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan