Eritrea, a country in northeastern Africa. It is bounded by
Sudan, the Red Sea, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. Eritrea has an area
of 48,263 square miles (125,000 km 2), about the same as that of
Mississippi. Highlands stretch from the south-central part of
the country northwest toward the border with Sudan. Elevations
here average about 6,500 feet (2,000 m). To the west are plains,
which are crossed by lowland river valleys. Along Eritrea's
coast is a narrow strip of scrubland and desert. The climate is
temperate in the higher elevations and hot in the lowlands:
Droughts occur often. Eritrea's economy, which is based mainly
on agriculture, suffered as a result of civil war during
1961–91. About 80 per cent of the people are engaged in
agriculture, most of them living at the subsistence level. The
chief crops include lentils, wheat, and corn. The raising of
livestock is important, especially in the highland areas. There
is some coastal fishing. Manufacturing is concentrated largely
in Asmara and Massawa. Products in