Geography

Eritrea is an extremely mountainous country, with many of the larger settlements - including the capital, Asmara - actually being atop some of its vast mountains. Flatter land is found in settlements at sea level, like Massawa and Assab.

The mountainous central plateau, where places like Asmara and Keren are found, are extremely fertile and are where much of the farming is in Eritrea. Whilst the capital itself is largely flat, there are still hilly sections within, becoming more frequent and intense further outside the capital. Keren is located in a basin surrounded by granite mountains, and therefore is also relatively flat. As mentioned Asmara and Keren are both situated on mountain plains, with elevations of 2,325m and 1,390m respectively. This should be kept in mind as the thinner air at higher altitudes can have an effect on those with respiratory, heart or general health problems. There are many walking routes just outside of these cities with varying degrees of difficulty, from leisurely strolls to some more challenging mountainside hikes.

Nearer to sea level, the air is much thicker and the ground is much flatter. Places like Massawa have the perfect blend of being a peaceful retreat where you can quite easily just relax and enjoy the sun, or a place of historical exploration of the ancient architecture and excursions to the surrounding areas. Not to mention the famous Red Sea! Surrounding Massawa is the Dahlak archipelago, a collection of beautiful islands still teaming with marine life.