Republic of Eritrea
Capital city: Asmara, largest city (main international airport).
Area: 121144 square km
National day: 24 May
Independence: 24 May 1993. Former Etiopian province and Italian colony.
Population: 4,2 million as of 2000
Leader: Isaias Afewerki born 1945. President since 1993.
Language: Arabic, Tigrinya, Afar (Danakil), English and Italian.
Currency: Nakfa.