Eritrea
General
Population: 5,939,484 (2011)
Land Area: 121,320 sq km
Natural Resources: Gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, fish
Capital: Asmara
Political System: Transitional Government
State Leader: Isaias Afworki (1993)
Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Cushitic languages
Currency: Nakfa (ERN)
Major Religions: Muslim, Coptic, Christian
Major Ethnicities: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho 3%, Other 3%
Life Expectancy: 62.52 years (2011)
Economy
GDP Official Exchange Rate: 2.254 billion (2010)
GDP Purchasing Power Parity: 4.178 billion (2010)
GDP Per Capita (PPP): 700 (2010)
GDP Growth Rate: 4% (2010)
GDP Structure: Agriculture 11.8%, Industry 20.4%, Services 67.7% (2010)
Labour Force By Occupation: Agriculture 80%, Industry and Services 20% (2004)
Industries: Food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement
Agriculture Products: Sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, sisal; livestock, goats; fish
Human Development Index: 0.349 (177th)
Tourism Revenue: 73 million (2004)
Unemployment Rate: NA
Military
Army Size: 201 750 (2004)
Budget: 6.3% of GDP (2006)
Current Situation
Eritrea is located in Northeast Africa. It is bordered by Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan. Eritrea is involved in conflicts with its neighbours over disputed territory, one of which resulted in the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, which ravaged the country and hurt the economy badly. These border disputes remain causes of tension and could erupt into open conflict at any time.
Photo Gallery
Sources
CIA World Factbook: Eritrea
Wikipedia: Eritrea
http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/ERI.html
Updated on: December 16, 2011