Eritrea, 3rd; The Bradt Travel Guide

by Edward Denison and Edward Paice

• ISBN13: 9781841620572
• ISBN10: 1841620572
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

From the ancient tropical forest of Filfil to the volcanic Lake Badda of the Danakil Depression, Eritrea's untrammelled terrain offers travellers plenty of variety and adventure. Beyond the many bustling market towns lies a land of great history, whose interior conceals the rock paintings of Qohaito, archaeological ruins at Metara and the cisterns and necropolis of Dahlak Kebir.

Author Biography

Edward Paice, author of the original Bradt Travel Guide to Eritrea, is a full-time author with interests in history, natural history, and Africa.

Edward Denison has updated this new edition of Eritrea, having originally visited the country as a student of architecture.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(86)
Background Information	3	(14)
Geography and climate	3	(3)
Environment	6	(1)
Government and administration	6	(3)
Economy	9	(1)
People and languages	10	(2)
Vernacular architecture	12	(5)
History	17	(32)
The first inhabitants	18	(1)
Pre-Axumite culture	18	(1)
Axumite kingdom	19	(1)
Beja and Islam: AD700-1300	19	(1)
Presolomonic and Solomonic period	20	(2)
The arrival of the Turks	22	(1)
17th-century migrations	23	(1)
Tigray in the 18th century	23	(1)
19th century: Egyptians British, French and Italians	24	(1)
Eclipse of Egypt	25	(1)
The Italians (1885-1941)	26	(6)
1946-50	32	(1)
Federation with Ethiopia: 1950	33	(1)
Annexation and after: 1955-61	34	(1)
Eritrean resistance and the growth of nationalism	34	(13)
Post-independence	47	(1)
The recent war	47	(2)
Practical Information	49	(38)
When to visit	49	(1)
Tourist information and services	50	(1)
Red tape	51	(3)
Getting to and from Eritrea	54	(2)
Health	56	(10)
Safety	66	(1)
What to take	67	(3)
Money	70	(2)
Getting around	72	(3)
Accommodation	75	(1)
Eritrean cuisine	76	(2)
Public holidays	78	(1)
Shopping	78	(1)
Arts and entertainment	79	(1)
Media and communications	80	(4)
Electricity	84	(1)
Business	84	(1)
A final word on dos and don'ts	84	(3)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	87	(114)
Asmara	89	(28)
Getting there	95	(1)
Getting around	96	(2)
Maps	98	(1)
Where to stay	98	(5)
Where to eat	103	(6)
Nightlife	109	(1)
Shopping	109	(2)
Communications	111	(1)
What to see	112	(5)
Asmara to Massawa	117	(12)
The descent to Massawa	117	(3)
Massawa	120	(9)
The Islands	129	(12)
Geography	129	(2)
The Dahlak islands	131	(2)
Flora and fauna	133	(5)
Other marine industries	138	(1)
Accessible islands and how to reach them	138	(3)
Through Denkalia: Massawa to Assab	141	(12)
When to travel	143	(1)
Getting there	144	(2)
The route	146	(7)
Assab and the South Coast	153	(6)
Assab	153	(5)
The islands	158	(1)
Asmara to Keren and Nacfa	159	(16)
Keren	159	(8)
Keren to Afabet and Nacfa	167	(2)
Afabet	169	(2)
Nacfa and environs	171	(4)
The Western Lowlands	175	(12)
Keren to Agordat	175	(1)
Agordat	176	(3)
Barentu	179	(2)
South of Barentu	181	(2)
Tessenei	183	(4)
The Southern Highlands	187	(14)
Asmara to Senafe	187	(8)
Asmara to Ghundet	195	(6)
Appendix 1 Language	201	(5)
Appendix 2 Further Reading	206	(3)
Index	209

Excerpts

The people are the country's greatest asset, and their determination to rebuild the country is matched only by their courage in fighting for so long for their freedom, largely unheeded by the rest of the world.

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Excerpted from Eritrea by Edward Denison, Edward Paice
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.