ERITREA

Official name: State of Eritrea Capital: Asmara Population: 3.5 million Currency: Egyptian pound Official languages: Tigrinya and Arabic

Lying on the shores of the Red Sea, Eritrea's landscape is dominated by rugged mountains, bush and the Danakil Desert. The country effectively seceded from Ethiopia in 1991, after a 30-year war for independence that left much of its infrastructure in ruins. A failure of the harvest in 1993 compounded the new state's problems, placing 400,000 people at risk from famine. The transitional government is due to hold multiparty democratic elections in 1997.

CLIMATE

Average daily temperatures range from 5 degrees Celsius in winter to 25 degrees in the summer. Harvests are dependent on a short, unreliable rainy season from July to September, and droughts are common.

COMMUNICATIONS

Transport networks are severely limited in Eritrea at present. The railways are inoperable and there are no motorways or navigable waterways. With massive investment, the country could benefit as a transit point for its land-locked neighbours.

TOURISM

There is very little tourism; most visitors are aid workers or on business. Planners are keen to develop coastal resorts for the regional Arab market. However, the task of clearing beaches of mines will take several years.

PEOPLE

Population density: 28 people per square kilometre

Urban/rural population split: 20 per cent/80 per cent

Religious persussion: Muslim and Christian faiths dominate (each 45 per cent)

Ethnic make-up: Tigrinya-speakers form the largest of Eritrea's nine main ethnic groups. A strong sense of nationhood has been forged by the 30-year war against Ethiopia. Women played an important role in the war. From 1973, 30,000 fought alongside men, some in positions of command. Their claim to equal rights is likely to be enshrined in the new constitution. Over 80 per cent of the people are subsistence farmers. Few live beyond the age of 45.

POLITICS

Eritrea became a region of Ethiopia in 1952 as a result of European power politics. After years of struggle, Ethiopian troops were driven out by The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1991. A referendum in 1993 gave a resounding 'yes' to independence and democratic elections are planned for 1997. A new constitution will forbid parties based on religious or ethnic affiliations.

WORLD AFFAIRS

Eritrea's secession marked the first major redrawing of the national borders established by Africa's colonisers, prompting fears of other secessionist movements throughout the continent. Eritrea's main concern is to attract Western aid for reconstruction to help develop its role as a transit point for its landlocked neighbours.

AID

Eritrea's economy is almost entirely aid-dependent. Western support is mostly in the form of emergency food aid, responding to the greatest immediate need. But aid for reconstruction is less forthcoming and total aid receipts are tiny compared to Somalia's.

DEFENCE

The army is currently unpaid and being demobilised. Ex-soldiers are being reintegrated into the national economy on 'food for work' schemes, whereby they repair the damage wrought by war.

ECONOMICS

GNP: $393 million (estimated)

GNP per capita: $120

Balance of payments: deficit

Inflation: 12 per cent

Strengths: Strategically important position on Red Sea. Potential for developing mining and oil industries and tourism. Government commitment to reducing dependence on food aid.

Weaknesses: Legacy of disruption and destruction from civil war. Lack of coherent economic policy. Low priority for Western aid. High costs of repatriating refugees who wish to return.

RESOURCES

Electricity generation: Limited, prone to surges

Oil production: Onshore and offshore deposits are believed to exist but none are currently exploited. There is a refinery at Assab.

Livestock: Includes sheep, goats, cattle and camels

Mineral reserves: Eritrea has substantial copper reserves and lesser reserves of silver, zinc and gold. High quality silica, granite and marble deposits could be exploited.

ENVIRONMENT

There are no protected areas in Eritrea but the new government is conscious of conservation needs. Deforestation and soil erosion are major problems. Approximately 22 million seedlings have been planted since 1991 and the Red Sea coast is a conservation priority.

MEDIA

Most of the media is controlled by the Government, who run both the radio and TV services. Independent newspapers are not encouraged.

CRIME

Crime has not been a problem since independence. The judiciary and police answer to the EPLF. There are a number of political prisoners.

EDUCATION

Literacy rate: 20 per cent Very few schools functioned during the war. There is one university. To reduce ethnic tension, all children above the age of 11 are taught in English.

HEALTH

Doctor/population ratio: 1 per 48,000 people

The risk of famine overrides normal health concerns. Health provision is basic.

WEALTH

Over 80 per cent of people are subsistence farmers with minimal earnings. The one million refugees who fled to neighbouring countries are destitute. Television and car ownership is limited to a small elite.

Position in World (191 countries)

Life expectancy 182 Infant mortality 175 GDP per capita 190 Daily calorie intake 189 Literacy 127 Schooling index 161 Educational rank 138 Human dev. index 168

MAP: Eritrea