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Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Eritrea

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Eritrea.

Speed

Overview

strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993

Detailed geography

Physical Features

Terrain
dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
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 105ºF to 120ºF, 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.
Weather Patterns
http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/ERXX0001?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point
3018 — Soira 3,018 m
Lowest Point
-75 — near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m

Borders and Area

Area (Comparative)
slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Border Countries
Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km
Coastline
mainland on Red Sea 1151 islands in Red Sea 1083
Maritime Claims
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural Resources and Hazards

Natural Resources
gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish
Natural Hazards
frequent droughts; locust swarms

Environment and Land Use

Current Environmental Issues
deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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