Asmara, is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people. At an elevation of 2,325 metres (7,628 ft), Asmara is on the edge of an escarpment that is both the northwestern edge of the Great Rift Valley and of the Eritrean highlands.
The city is located in Eritrea's Maekel Region. It is known for its well preserved colonial Italian modern architecture and is split into thirteen districts or administrative areas: Acria, Abbashaul, Edaga Hamus, Arbaete Asmara, Mai Temenai, Paradiso, Sembel, Godaif, Maekel Ketema or Downtown, Tiravolo, Gejeret, Tsetserat and Gheza Banda.
Medri Bahri
Asmara, which was part of the semi independent kingdom of Medri Bahri (Republic of Hamassien), would briefly come under the occupation of the British backed and supported Egyptians. Later Emperor Yohannes IV gave his trusted Ras Alula the title of governor of Medri Bahri. Alula moved the capital of the province to Asmara, which then had about 150 inhabitants. At this time, the largest city in Eritrea was Debarwa, now located in the Debub Region. This was the historical capital of the Bahri Negasi of Medri Bahri. Within four years, the town's population numbered more than three thousand, and its commercial importance, with increased trade with Massawa, grew considerably.
Economy
As the capital city and largest settlement of Eritrea, most Eritrean businesses have their headquarters in Asmara. The city was once a factory town. The city was at the centre of Italian East Africa meaning that many big Italian businesses opened up in the city. When the British entered the country in 1941, many businesses were closed down or relocated outside the city. This worsened under Haile Selassie I who gave out propaganda that appeared that they wanted to modernize Eritrea.
Eritrean Airlines and Nasair have their head offices in Asmara. Eritrean Telecommunications Corporation has its headquarters in Asmara. The country's national television station Eri-TV also has many studios located in various areas in Asmara.
Transport
Taxis that run in the city of Asmara start at 07:00 and end at 21:00, and can get very crowded at peak times. The fare for a shared taxi is 5-10 Nakfa per seat. A contracted taxi can charge between 20-300 Nakfa so the price should be negotiated before entering the taxi. Contracted taxis also run outside Asmara to various other cities, towns and villages including; Massawa, Keren, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Adi Quala, Ghinda and Nefasit.
Long distance buses in Eritrea are not crowded because it is illegal for passengers to stand in the aisle. There are organized breakfast and/or lunch stops on longer trips. When traveling to remote places, like Assab, Nakfa, Tesseney or Senafe, reservations should be made for the return trip in advance, to prevent being stranded.
Education
Asmara is home to the majority of colleges and universities in the country. The city has always been the centre of education in the country. It is home to many elementary and high schools, and until the recent opening of universities at Mai Nefhi and Sawa, the only university in the country, the University of Asmara. During the times of Ethiopian federation and annexation, the University of Asmara was linked with Mekelle University in Mekelle, Tigray. Then the biggest university in the country was Addis Ababa University. Since Eritrea's independence, many campus' have been opening up across the country mainly for medicine and engineering.
The city is located in Eritrea's Maekel Region. It is known for its well preserved colonial Italian modern architecture and is split into thirteen districts or administrative areas: Acria, Abbashaul, Edaga Hamus, Arbaete Asmara, Mai Temenai, Paradiso, Sembel, Godaif, Maekel Ketema or Downtown, Tiravolo, Gejeret, Tsetserat and Gheza Banda.
Medri Bahri
Asmara, which was part of the semi independent kingdom of Medri Bahri (Republic of Hamassien), would briefly come under the occupation of the British backed and supported Egyptians. Later Emperor Yohannes IV gave his trusted Ras Alula the title of governor of Medri Bahri. Alula moved the capital of the province to Asmara, which then had about 150 inhabitants. At this time, the largest city in Eritrea was Debarwa, now located in the Debub Region. This was the historical capital of the Bahri Negasi of Medri Bahri. Within four years, the town's population numbered more than three thousand, and its commercial importance, with increased trade with Massawa, grew considerably.
Economy
As the capital city and largest settlement of Eritrea, most Eritrean businesses have their headquarters in Asmara. The city was once a factory town. The city was at the centre of Italian East Africa meaning that many big Italian businesses opened up in the city. When the British entered the country in 1941, many businesses were closed down or relocated outside the city. This worsened under Haile Selassie I who gave out propaganda that appeared that they wanted to modernize Eritrea.
Eritrean Airlines and Nasair have their head offices in Asmara. Eritrean Telecommunications Corporation has its headquarters in Asmara. The country's national television station Eri-TV also has many studios located in various areas in Asmara.
Transport
Taxis that run in the city of Asmara start at 07:00 and end at 21:00, and can get very crowded at peak times. The fare for a shared taxi is 5-10 Nakfa per seat. A contracted taxi can charge between 20-300 Nakfa so the price should be negotiated before entering the taxi. Contracted taxis also run outside Asmara to various other cities, towns and villages including; Massawa, Keren, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Adi Quala, Ghinda and Nefasit.
Long distance buses in Eritrea are not crowded because it is illegal for passengers to stand in the aisle. There are organized breakfast and/or lunch stops on longer trips. When traveling to remote places, like Assab, Nakfa, Tesseney or Senafe, reservations should be made for the return trip in advance, to prevent being stranded.
Education
Asmara is home to the majority of colleges and universities in the country. The city has always been the centre of education in the country. It is home to many elementary and high schools, and until the recent opening of universities at Mai Nefhi and Sawa, the only university in the country, the University of Asmara. During the times of Ethiopian federation and annexation, the University of Asmara was linked with Mekelle University in Mekelle, Tigray. Then the biggest university in the country was Addis Ababa University. Since Eritrea's independence, many campus' have been opening up across the country mainly for medicine and engineering.
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