ERITRE'A, It. pron. or ERYTH R/EA. An Italian colony in northeast Africa. lying het \Veen the iced Sea on the northeast and Abyssinia on the southwest, and between Egyp tian Sudan on the northwest and French Somali land on the southeast, and embracing the north ern part of the Abyssinian highlands (Map: Africa, if 3). The coast is about 500 miles long. The colonial territory includes the islands "%lasso Dahlak, and Ilimakil in the Red Sea. The total area is approximately 95,000 square miles. Generally speaking, Eritrea consists, first, of the mum MAN' coast territory, which is of chalk forma tion; next, a 'subalpine' region with an average elevation of about 3000 feet; and then a plateau 7000 feet high, broken by arid valleys. These highlands are the most healthful and inhabitable section of the country and the most susceptible of cultivation, while the sea region is arid and ill capable of supporting life. whether fauna or flora. In this latter district the only rains are in winter. The climate of Eritrea is equatorial, the average annual temperature at Massowah being nearly 90° Fahr. The exports embrace precious metals; animal products, moth er-of-pearl. pearls, and hides. The imports in
clude cotton goods, dumb, cattle, wood, wine, and flour. The total value of the imports and exports at Massowah in 1900 was about $2,220, 000, over three-fourths of which was imported. There is a considerable transit trade with Abys sinia and Sudan. There entered and cleared, in 1899, 5900 vessels, registering 226,274 tons. The only railroad is 15 miles long, connecting Saati with Massowah, and was constructed for military purposes. it is being extended to As mara. There are several hundred miles of tele graph lines. The seat of colonial government is at Asmara. The chief town is Massowah (q.v.) with its busy harbor. the real business centre of the colony and the natural port for Abyssinia. The colony has been expensive to the mother country, demanding annually about $1, 500,000 from the national budget. A special army corps of about 6500 men, mostly natives. is stationed here. The population in 1899 was 327, 502 natives and 2014 foreigners. The natives are of the Arab race and for the greater part no madic. The Afar or Danakil tribes inhabit the southern part.