Asmara Travel Guide, Eritrea

Asmara, Eritrea

Asmara, formerly recognized as Asmera is the beautiful capital city as well as the largest settlement of Eritrea. Asmara is located in the Hamsen plateau close to its eastern edge at an altitude of approximately 7800 ft.

Asmara city has moderate temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius and heavy sporadic rains throughout the year. This city is identified as Italy’s African City or New Rome because of its archetypal Italian touch, not just for its architecture but for its wide streets, coffee bars and piazzas as well. There is a plethora of coffee bars serving lattes, cappuccinos, and pizzerias in addition to ice cream parlors.

The residents of Asmara dress in an exclusive yet very African manner. The city is highly liked and praised for its crime free and peaceful environment. Thereby, it is the cleanest and the most litter free city in the whole of Africa.

Population

In the year 1904, Asmara possessed a garrison of about 300 Italian soldiers in addition to near 1000 native troops. Whereas, the European civil populace was about 500 and the remaining inhabitants were mainly Abyssinians. The city presently homes a total population of about 579, 000 people.

Economical overview

Clothing and textiles, processed meat, shoes, beer in addition to ceramics are the main industrial products. Other sources of income in Asmara include light industry, fisheries and agriculture. Major exports of Asmara, Eritrea incorporate salt, models from Tigrigna and Rashaida tribes products made of fine leather. The Eritreans residing abroad offer a great source of external proceeds in form of remittance.

General overview

The city flaunts mainly the architectural style of the 20th century along with several buildings of neo-Romanesque, including the Roman Catholic Church. Besides, Victorian style buildings can be observed as well. Art Deco style influences can be found all over the city. The architects in Asmara were constrained and offered funds for creating masterpieces that are noticeable today. Cubism essences can also be discovered on the famous Africa Pension Building along with a little set of buildings. The Fiat Tagliero Building highlights futurism. The city sports the We Are the Future Centre- a child care center providing small kids an opportunity to make a sense of optimism and live their early days.

In addition, Asmara also homes the popular University of Asmara plus a nineteenth century fortress, Forte Baldissera. The city also incorporates Asmara International Airport that serves various international and domestic air flights. It is linked with the port of Massawa through the Eritrean Railway.