Q 01/05

Eritrea lies in which region of the continent?

A) The Sahel

B) The Great Lakes

C) The Swahili Coast

D) The Horn of Africa

Answer · why

D) The Horn of Africa

Its capital, Asmara, sits at 2,325 metres, the second-highest capital in Africa.

Q 02/05

The name Eritrea derives from the ancient Greek name for which body of water?

A) The Nile

B) The Indian Ocean

C) The Gulf of Aden

D) The Red Sea

Answer · why

D) The Red Sea

Erythra Thalassa comes from erythros, meaning red.

Q 03/05

In which year did Eritrea gain de jure independence following a referendum?

A) 1985

B) 1979

C) 1993

D) 1989

Answer · why

C) 1993

De facto independence had come in 1991 with the fall of the Derg; the referendum returned 99.83% in favour.

Q 04/05

Who has been president of Eritrea since independence in 1993?

A) Isaias Afwerki

B) Meles Zenawi

C) Idris Muhammad Adam

D) Haile Selassie

Answer · why

A) Isaias Afwerki

National elections have never been held, and the country is a one-party state under his PFDJ.

Q 05/05

Which European power formed the colony of Eritrea in 1889, setting its present borders?

A) France

B) Italy

C) Britain

D) Portugal

Answer · why

B) Italy

Italian troops had spread inland from Massawa from 1885; rule lasted until the British took over in 1941-42.