Eritrea

American  

[er-i-tree-uh, e-ree-tre-ah] / ˌɛr ɪˈtri ə, ˌɛ riˈtrɛ ɑ /

noun

1. a republic in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: Italian colony 1890–1941; province of Ethiopia 1962–93; independent since 1993. 47,076 sq. mi. (121,927 sq. km). Asmara.

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Eritrea British  

/ ˌɛrɪˈtreɪə /

noun

1. a small country in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: became an Italian colony in 1890; federated with Ethiopia (1952–93); an independence movement was engaged in war with the Ethiopian government from 1961 until independence was gained in 1993; consists of hot and arid coastal lowlands, rising to the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. Languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Afar, and others. Religions: Muslim and Christian. Currency: nakfa. Capital: Asmara. Pop: 6 233 682 (2013 est). Area: 117 400 sq km (45 300 sq miles)

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Eritrea Cultural  

1. Country in northeastern Africa bordered by Sudan to the north and west, Ethiopia to the south, Djibouti to the southeast, and the Red Sea to the east. Its capital is Asmara. After a long struggle, Eritrea declared its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A border conflict with Ethiopia flared between 1998 and 2000.

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Other Word Forms

• Eritrean
  adjective

Example Sentences

The WMO said last month that there was a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall during the critical June-September rainy season in South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, much of Eritrea, Sudan and western and coastal Kenya.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

He was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize mainly for bringing an end to the 20-year military stalemate with neighbouring Eritrea.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Among the 10 countries with the highest number of decisions, more than 90% of applications from Yemen, Sudan and Eritrea were approved.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Eritrea has strategic Red Sea coastline, and U.S. congressional commissions have referred to it as the “North Korea of Africa.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

World Relief and the International Rescue Committee opened offices in Clarkston to better serve the newcomers, and resettled still more refugees—from war-ravaged African countries including Liberia, Congo, Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John