ASMARA – The City of Women

By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern

NGO Management

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 a height of 7628 feet. It is the sixth-highest capital in the world by its capital. In 2017, it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. With a population of close to one million people, it is one of the cleanest and well-planned cities in the continent. 

The city of Asmara is also called the African city of Women because it has a very high population of women 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 it to attack nearby countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, etc. Later, it was passed on to the British Empire. It was fully recognised as the city of Asmara in 1993 after they gained their Independence from Ethiopia in 1991.

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 mode of transportation in this city is the bus, although there are also cabs. You need an Archaeological permit to visit the National Museum, the city’s famous tourist spot. The second recommended place is the City Park, which is known for people coming there to relax.

The Eritrean economy is one of the strongest economies in the African continent. It stands at sixth place among the top ten currencies of this continent. Eritrean Nakfa is the currency which, compared to the U.S dollar, is 1USD=15ERN. The major manufacturing sectors of this economy are agriculture, meat, and dairy products. As far as exports are concerned, minerals such as gold, copper, granite, potash, etc are mined. As the city is a UNESCO-registered world heritage site, tourists majorly contribute to its revenue.