Notice of Holiday Closure
Our offices will be closed for Upcoming Holiday on Upcoming Date .
Visiting address Rue de Lyon 97 (5th Floor), 1203 Genéve（https://maps.app.goo.gl/waCazgCUMCEayC16A）
contact@eritreaembassy.ch Tel:+41 22 570 47 30
ቆጸራ（https://geneva.eritreaconsular.org/）
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Embassy and Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea in Geneva
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Notice of Holiday Office Closure
Our office will be closed on the following dates:
20.03.2026 Eid Al-Fitr
03.04.2026 Good Friday
06.04.2026 Easter Monday
10.04.2026 Orthodox Good Friday
01.05.2026 International Workers Day
14.05.2026 Ascension Day
25.05.2026 Whit Monday
26.05.2026 Eid Al-Adha
19.06.2026 Eve of Martyrs Day
20.06.2026 Martyrs Day
01.09.2026 Hade Meskerem
10.09.2026 Jeune Genevois
11.09.2026 Kidus Yohannes
25.12.2026 until 07.01.2027 Christmas Holiday
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History & Geography
History & Geography
Eritrea: Land of the Can-Do People
Eritrea occupies a land area in northeastern Africa, bounded by Sudan on the west and north, Ethiopia on the south, Djibouti on the southeast, and the Red Sea on the east. With a land area of 125,000 km², it might look like a small country. Yet it is much larger than 20 other African nations and 100 countries worldwide.
With a 1,155 km stretch, Eritrea prides itself on having the longest aggregate coastline among the Red Sea littoral states. So, it goes without saying that the Red Sea's impact on the history and development of this land has been all-important.
Since the dawn of history, Eritrea has been known to the outside world. The area approximating present-day Eritrea was known to the ancients as the Land of Punt (Land of the Gods). In the Middle Ages, this same landmass was known as Medri Bahri—Land of the Sea. It was not a mere coincidence that its name comes from the ancient Greek word for the Red Sea, "Marine Erythrium."
Eritrea's geography is incredibly diverse, with landscapes ranging from coastal plains along the Red Sea to rugged mountains and expansive plateaus inland. The country can be divided into several geographical regions:
The Coastal Plains: Along the Red Sea, Eritrea enjoys a coastline that stretches for 1,155 km, the longest of any nation along the Red Sea's littoral states. This coastline is dotted with small islands, such as those in the Dahlak Archipelago, which are important both historically and environmentally. The coastlines are characterized by arid desert-like conditions, with a mix of sandy beaches and rocky cliffs.
The Eastern Escarpment: Rising from the coastal plains is the eastern escarpment, a dramatic series of cliffs and steep valleys that ascend towards the highlands. This transition zone experiences more temperate conditions than the coast, with cooler temperatures and more vegetation.
The Central Highlands: Dominating the interior, Eritrea’s central highlands are home to its capital, Asmara, which sits at an altitude of about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level. These highlands are the most densely populated region of the country, offering fertile soil for agriculture and a cooler, more temperate climate compared to the rest of the country. The highlands are also notable for their historical significance, with ancient civilizations and cultural centers established here over millennia.
The Western Lowlands: Towards the west, the terrain flattens into the western lowlands, which stretch toward Sudan. This region is part of the Sahel and features vast semi-arid plains. The western lowlands are sparsely populated and experience extreme temperatures during the day but cool off significantly at night.
The Danakil Depression (Southern Coastal Plains): In the southeast, Eritrea borders the harsh Danakil Depression, one of the hottest places on Earth, where temperatures frequently exceed 50°C (122°F). This desert landscape is barren, with volcanic activity and salt flats dominating the region, extending into neighboring Djibouti and Ethiopia.