Dokolonialnyj the period. The archeological finds which have been found out in a valley of river Barka, testify that the territory of modern Eritrea has been populated with people (nilotskimi the people migrating from a valley of Nile) in 8 thousand BC In May 2002 on suburb of Asmera the rests of one of the most ancient in Tropical Africa (apprx. 3 thousand years) settlements of settled farmers are found out. About existence of Eritrea knew in ancient Egypt in 3rd millenium BC and named it «the Earth gods».
In 1–10 centuries in territory of modern Eritrea and provinces Tygraj (Ethiopia) existed rannefeodalnoe kingdom Aksum with capital in seaport Adulis which was large shopping centre at coast of Red sea. To 9 century the large part of territory of Eritrea were in structure of the Aksumsky kingdom, and in 9–13 centuries – under the control bedzha, the independent states which have created some. In 16–18 centuries a part of the western areas of the country were under occupation Sennarsky sultanata (Sudan), and the district Massaua and coast of Red sea have been seized by Turks-osmanli Turks. In sered. 19 century of attempt to subordinate Ethiopia and Eritrea governors of Egypt undertook.
The colonial period. In 1880 in a southern part of coast of Red sea (district of Asseb) and in Massaua Italians have landed. In 1890 Italy Eritrea which included all territories seized by Italy on Red sea declared creation of a colony. The colonial administration considered a colony as base for penetration deep into Ethiopia. Cultivation of commodity agricultural crops (a clap, tobacco, a sesame (sezam) has been adjusted, etc.), seaports and highways are constructed.
To 1941 Eritrea have released of a colonial rule the English-Ethiopian armies. In 1941–1945 it was under the control of the British military authorities, and in 1945–1952 – in ward the United Nations under control of the Great Britain. In 1952 according to the resolution of General assembly of the United Nations Eritrea is attached (contrary to will of overwhelming majority eritrejtsev) to Ethiopia as autonomous region. Under the order of the monarch of Ethiopia Hajle Selassie of I th Eritrea in territory any political activity has been forbidden and censorship is entered. In 1962 country it is declared by one of the Ethiopian provinces.
The first political organisation – «Front of remission of Eritrea» (FOE) – is created in Cairo in 1958. He has headed the armed struggle eritrejskogo the people for independence. Resistance movement was ineffective because of constant crises and splits in FOE and absence in him of the conventional leader. In 1970 «the Popular front of remission of Eritrea» (NFOE) – the military-political organisation with the rigid centralised structure is formed. One of its leaders was Isajjas Afevorki. In 1989 NFOE together with oppositional Ethiopian «the Popular front of remission Tigraja» (NFOT) activated the actions.
The period of independent development. In May 1991 to the power to Ethiopia political forces of a strongly pronounced regionalno-ethnic direction have come and have proclaimed wide ethnic federalism. On May, 24th 1991 groups NFOE have entered in Asmera and have by degrees established the control over all territory of a province. The provisional government of Eritrea was headed by I.Afevorki. After realisation of a national referendum (on April, 23-25rd 1993) in which course of 99,8 % of the population of the country has expressed in favour of its independence, on May, 24th 1993 the independent state Eritrea has been formed.
In May 1998, after the period mutually advantageous political and economic complementation, between Eritrea and Ethiopia war because of dispute on a territorial accessory of the boundary city of Badme has inflamed. By June 2000 army of Ethiopia has crushed eritrejskie armies and has returned all disputable territories. During war were lost 20 thousand eritrejtsev. On December, 12th 2000 in Algeria between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea the wraparound peace agreement on the termination of military actions and delimitatsii borders is entered into. Within the limits of the agreement the international board of arbitration which has made the decision on homing of Badme to Eritrea has been created. The authorities of Ethiopia have put forward the compromise proposals, but Eritrea insists on fulfilment of the decision of the above-stated commission. With the purposes of maintenance of the world and observance of a regimen of cease-fire on border of two countries United Nations armies (more than 3 thousand people) are placed Patrolling a 25-kilometre buffer zone on all its extent. In March 2005 Security council of the United Nations has prolonged the mandate of mission of the United Nations in Ethiopia and Eritrea (MOONEE) till September 2005.
The general election scheduled on 2001, has been cancelled referring to the force majeure bound to necessity of liquidation of consequences of war. In September 2001 all local private printing editions are closed. In 2004 has been sent last from foreign journalists working in the country. Human rights organisations assert, that the authorities pursue and contain in prisons eritrejskih the journalists who have acted with critical publications in their address.
The country has taken a way of development of market economy, privatisation process has begun. One of the basic financial donors is Italy. The money resources annually sent in the country by members eritrejskoj of diaspora, average 45 % of gross national product. In 2002 volume of gross national product has made 3,3 bln. dollars of the USA, and its growth – 2 %. Upturn in inflation in 2003 – 12,3 %. According to data of IMF the volume of annual export in comparison with the pre-war period was reduced more than to 50 % (in 1997 it made 200 mln. dollars of the USA). In 2002 world bank (VB) has allocated to Eritrea 60 mln. dollars of the USA for the purposes of post-war restoration. Long droughts nach. 2000 have led to sharp reduction of an agricultural production, there was real a hunger threat. According to an official statement of the World food programme of the United Nations, made in January, 2005, 75 % of the population of the country require food aid.
