Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country located in the Horn of Africa, bordering Ethiopia to the south, Sudan to the west, and Djibouti to the southeast. It also has a long coastline on the Red Sea. The capital is Asmara, known for its well-preserved Italian architecture. Historically, Eritrea was influenced by several cultures and powers, including the Ottoman Empire and Italy, which colonized it in the late 19th century. After World War II, Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia, a move that eventually led to a long war of independence, which ended in 1991. Eritrea formally gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The Eritrean economy is mainly based on agriculture, but the country also has mineral resources, including gold and copper. However, the economy has suffered due to political isolation and regional conflicts. The population of Eritrea is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with nine recognized ethnic groups. The official languages are Tigrinya and Arabic, but English and Italian are also widely used. Eritrean society is characterized by rich cultural diversity, with a variety of traditions, languages and religious practices. Culturally, Eritrea is known for its traditional music and dance, reflecting its diverse cultural influences. Eritrean cuisine is unique and influenced by African and Italian traditions, with dishes such as injera and zighinì. Geographically, Eritrea is characterized by a diverse landscape, which includes the coastal plain of the Red Sea, central mountainous areas and western desert regions. The country also has some islands in the Red Sea. The climate varies from warm and arid along the coast to more temperate in mountainous regions. Population of Eritrea from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 3.2 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 3.25 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 3.3 million inhabitants. Capital (Asmara): Population in 2020: About 963,000 inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Asmara: 963,000 Keren: 146,000 Massawa: 53,000 Assab: 21,300 Mendefera: 17,800 Barentu: 15,900 Adi Keyh: 13,500 Edd: 11,600 Dekemhare: 10,100 Ak'ordat: 8,700 Eritrea is divided into 6 regions.