By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern
Asmara is the capital city of Eritrea a country which found in the northern tip of the Ethiopian Plateau in the North-Eastern part of the Continent. It is naturally elevated and is at the height of 7628 feet. It is the sixth highest capital in the world by its capital. In 2017, it was declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. There is a population of close to one million people, it is one of the cleanest and well-planned cities in the continent.
The city Asmara is also called as the African city of Women, it is because this city has a very high population of women as compared to men. There are three times more women than men in this city.
According to Eritrean oral tradition history the history of Asmara goes back to the 800 BCE. In which it states that there were four clans initially ruling Asmara. The women suggested that these four clans come together and unite and fight against the opposing clans who are a threat. From this point on the name “Asmara” originated which typically means that “They all came together to unite”.
Asmara was formerly colonised by the Italians who used Asmara to attack the nearby countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, etc. Later on it was passed on the British Empire. It was fully recognised as Asmara the city of Asmara in 1993 after they got their Independence in 1991 from Ethiopia.
At this day the official languages spoken in Asmara is Tigrinya, English and Arabic. Due to the Italian colonisation the city was gifted by Italian Architecture and there are about 95% Christians and 5% Muslims.
The major transportation of this city is bus even though there are also cabs. You need an Archaeological permit in order for you to visit the famous tourist spot of this city that is the National Museum. The second recommended place is the City Park which is known for people coming there for relaxation.
Eritrean economy is one of the strongest economy in the African continent. It stands at sixth place among the top ten currencies of this continent. Eritrean Nakfa is the currency which when compared to the U.S dollar its: 1USD=15ERN. The major manufacturing of this economy is agriculture and meat and diary products. As far as Exports there are mining of minerals such as gold, copper, granite, potash, etc. As the city itself is a UNESCO registered world heritage site there city revenue is majorly contributed by tourists.