So you're moving to Eritrea... Have a Good Journey!

Contents
Geography Language History Media Religion Safety Weather Telephones	Water Electricity Housing Moving Domestic Staff Schools Clubs Embassy Occasions	Restaurants and Hotels Vehicles Licences Destinations Currency Corruption
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Congratulations and Welcome!
You are embarking on a journey to a country often described as "the Alps of Africa". A stable political and economic climate and nationwide security sets Eritrea apart from most of Africa. The aim of this information is to make those moving to Eritrea more aware of the facilities available within the country and to highlight one or two areas where people coming to live here for the first time may find the need for some adjustment.

Geography
Topography: The Red Sea coastal plain; the south central plateau highland, which forms the core of the nation; the hill country of the north and midwest; and the broad western plains comprise Eritrea's varied topography. The Red Sea coast stretches 1,150 kilometers (715 miles) along Eritrea's eastern border. The Red Sea gives Eritrea its name (Erythraea is Greek for 'red').
To the west, the coastal plain rises sharply to the highland plateau, where elevations range from 1,830 to 2,440 meters (6,000 to 8,000 feet). The hill country north and west of the core plateau ranges from about 760 to 1,370 meters (about 2,500 to 4,500 feet). Plains lie to the west of the Baraka River and north of the Tekeze.
A number of rivers drain Eritrea's plateau and highland regions. The Mereb, Baraka, and Anseba flow from the plateau west into Sudan, while the Falkat, Laba, and Alighede flow from the northern highlands to the Red Sea.

Language
Eritrea has two primary languages: Tigrinya and Arabic. Tigrinya is closely related to Tigre, spoken by Tigreans. Tigrinya and Tigre use an ancient Ge'ez script. Like Arabic, they are both Semitic dialects. Arabic, native to the Rashaida, is widely used in commerce. Educated people often speak English, the teaching of which was introduced during the period of British administration. Most minority groups speak their own languages but are fluent or familiar with one of the two national languages.

History
Up until recently the name 'Eritrea' was a synonym for 'war' and an antonym for 'relaxing with a gin by the seaside', but remarkably the definitions are starting to be reversed. The destination which popular (but not always accurate) belief once held was avoided by all except the foolhardy or the mercenary now has a peace agreement with Ethiopia under its belt and a chance to invite the world to see that its inhabitants are actually among the most vibrant and friendliest people in Africa.
Eritrea is battle-scarred from 30 years of fighting for independence and, more recently, from a border dispute with Ethiopia that was akin to two dogs fighting over half an old bone. But its people are pursuing peacetime as vigorously as they pursued conflict, with swathes of the major cities and towns being rebuilt and large amounts of Asmara gin being downed to fuel the favoured pastime of dancing. More of Eritrea's fascinating archaeological ruins are being unearthed around the country (as opposed to more being bombed into existence) and the waters of the Red Sea are beckoning divers with flourishing stocks of marine life. You no longer need a flak jacket to visit Eritrea, just a desire to engage the famously hospitable locals.

Media
There are eight Tgrinna papers, one in Arabic and one weekly English newspaper. The English paper is called the 'Eritrean Profile'.

Religion
Some Eritreans follow traditional practices usually classified as animism. In addition, Islam and Christianity each claim two-fifths of the population as adherents. Although some Eritreans are Roman Catholic or Protestant, most Christians are Copts who accept the teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Eritrean Orthodox Church now has its own bishop but maintains links with the church in Ethiopia. The conservative Orthodox Church uses the Ge'ez language, and its clergy includes both monks and married priests.
Whereas most Christians live in the highlands, Muslims tend to inhabit the lowlands. They include many Tigreans and Kunamans, as well as nearly all Saho, Nara, and Rashaida peoples. These Sunni Muslims were integrated into the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) and are well represented in government. During the war, soldiers (of which 30 percent were women) of different religions often married. The war helped unite religious leaders in a common cause, which is a factor in the country's religious freedom and tolerance. By law, neither religion nor ethnicity can be the basis of a political party.

Safety
Eritrea is blessed with the best security in Africa. It is perhaps the last place on the continent where people consciously leave their car doors unlocked and where it''s safe to wander around Asmara and Massawa late at night without risk. However the increasing influx of foreigners will no doubt spoil the atmosphere so enjoy it while it lasts!

Weather
This relatively small country encompasses a variety of climate regions. A highland climate exists in the central part of the country, a tropical savanna climate is found in the southwestern corner, and semiarid and arid climate regions are found near the coast. The Denakil depression in the southeast falls below sea level and is the site of some of the highest temperatures recorded on Earth.
Rainfall is generally expected from June through September, except in the coastal desert. The narrow coastal plain receives little rain and is extremely hot. Annual rainfall in the western plateau is significantly higher than at the coast and somewhat higher than in the hill country in the northwest. The country experiences frequent droughts.

Telephones
Telephones work fairly well although lines cannot accommodate web transmissions with the result that e-mails are both received and sent without problem but it can take a long, long time to download anything serious. There are negotiations going on overseas cellular providers so your portable phone is only months away.

Water
Some homes in the major centers are connected to municipal water supplies. Unfortunately Eritrea cannot boast any taps from which safe drinking water comes. Despite the predominance of drought conditions on the coastal plain there has been no shortage of water whatever the season and there has never been a hosepipe ban!

Electricity
The electricity supply in the larger towns and villages is wobbly an cannot be counted on to supply an unbroken supply. Most houses and offices use the European three round pin system. All Embassies, most larger hotels and restaurants have generators.

Housing
Good housing, both for rent and for purchase is very difficult to obtain. Rentals in Asmara range from around US$1000 per month up to US$4000, and about half that level in Massawa. Although security guards are available for private homes they are mostly uneeded given the extremely low crime rate in the country.
Furniture and appliances: There is very little of quality available apart from the very simplest of utilitarian furniture. Given the shortage of good furniture shops, we would suggest that you bring it with you, including kitchen appliances (240 volts/50 Hz), stereos, computers etc.

Moving to ERITREA
Choose a quality mover for your relocation to Eritrea. Worldwide Movers is the only professional international moving company in the country and we have seen all sorts of insufficiently packed shipments arrive by air and sea. Select a moving company that specializes in overseas moves: they know how to pack and they know how to load your possessions to prevent damages. We would suggest that you designate and international mover that belongs to the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (F.I.D.I.): membership manifests competency. Don't worry about customs clearance and delivery, we do it every day. If you need any special information, all the staff of WWMER are either citizens or have lived in Botswana for many years so do not hesitate to contact them. Alternatively call our Canadian based director, Val Prinsep in Toronto on (416)920-0537. He knows Eritrea.

Domestic Staff
Domestic staff are available at very modest wages. Ask around at your embassy or post an advertisement in one of the clubs. Better still, try to find someone who is leaving and wishes to find employment for their staff.

Schools
There are no foreign schools in Eritrea. No doubt there will be an International School within a year or two, but we are not aware of any school that would satisfy discriminating overseas residents.

Clubs
There really isn't much in the way of social club life in Eritrea but this should soon change as the number of expatriates increases and we can expect there to be some kind of sports club to open in the near future. There is a United Nations club that opens its doors to the large UN peacekeeping forces but it is principally for the military crowd. The Rotary Club offers regular meetings at the Intecontinental Hotel.
Eritireans enjoy soccer, bicycle racing, karssa (a game similar to field hockey), and a game that involves throwing stones at a target. Both men and women play gebetta, a strategy game played with pebbles on a playing surface created by making depressions in the ground. Women enjoy drumming and dancing.

Embassy Registration
It's always a good idea to register with your Embassy as soon as you arrive in Asmara. Not only is it appreciated by the mission, but also a good way to meet other nationals at the cocktail parties that are held from time to time. Most of the diplomatic missions are fairly laid-back in Asmara and can be more helpful than in other larger countries.

Special Occasions
Many a time one hears "I wish I had brought that with me from home!" Bring whatever you can with you to Eritrea as there isn't a proper supermarket within 1000 kilometers. You could fly to Jeddah and shop there if you have access to easily available visas.

Restaurants and Hotels
The leading hotel in Asmara is the new Intercontinental on the airport road (Telephone 150-400). Classy, expensive, good restaurant, in fact everything the overseas business person could demand. Doesn't have much atmosphere though and is typically overrun by United Nations Observer corps. The Imperial Hotel (Tel. 123-222) is reasonable quality and like the Ambassador Hotel (Tel. 126-544) has a more intimate bar that is frequented by expatriates and the 'in-crowd'. The Sunshine Hotel (Tel.127-880) also has honest rooms and a fun bar. Other hotels are the Selam (Tel. 127-244) and the Hamassien (Tel. 123-411
Well known restaurants in town are:
The Intercontinenal Restaurant (international buffets and a la Carte menus), The Blue Nile (Tel. 117-965) that offers good quality Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine, the China (yes, unpretentious sino-fare, Tel. 125-853), the Castello (Tel: 120-453) which is Italianesque, Mar Rosso and the Caravel (Tel. 123-830)

Vehicles
Vehicles are expensive in Eritrea and we would suggest that you bring one with you, a 4 x 4 if you are adventurous and don't mind some awful roads. A normal car is fine for the main roads. Air conditioning is an absolute necessity on the coastal plain.

Driving Licenses
The carrying of driver's licenses is mandatory whilst driving. Those issued in Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti are acceptable in Etitrea. All other licenses are valid for 6 months only but must be in English. For a stay longer than 6 months licenses can be freely exchanged for an Eritrean licence or an international licence must be obtained. Most Eritrean's drive slowly and sensibly and few are in a hurry to make an appointment with the undertaker. Except the trucks on the Massawa-Asmara road!

Popular Destinations
When you are in Asmara, it's nice to make the occasional trip to the coastal plain for swimming, diving (Scuba) and fresh sea food and it's nice to get up to the cool weather of Asmara when you are bored of baking in Massawa.

Currency Exchange
Currency can be exchanged in some hotels, banks and exchange bureaux. There is no wait and the service is quick with competitive exchange rates. You may even be offered a cup of tea or coffee in these offices!

Corruption
Strange for this continent, corruption is not very prevalent in Eritrea, much to the amazement of overseas businessmen and tourists. What a wonderful change!

And Finally....
Eritrea is a truly adult-strength country with azure seas, tall green mountains, resilient peoples where the expatriate can feel right at ease. No hurry here, take your time to enjoy this very exotic land.