Eritrea is located in the northeastern part of Africa, it neighbors Republic of Sudan in the west as well as Ethiopia and Djibouti in the south, and faces Saudi Arabia and Yemen across the Red Sea in the east. It stands as a portal from the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean, therefore its geographical location is very important. Its coastline is 1,200 km long.

Eritrea’s terrain is dominated by plateau and plain. The eastern plain is tilted from northwest to southeast. The Mareb River is the largest river. Its highland climate is pleasant.

Eritrea has a variety of terrain and climate in Africa, with the hottest and lowest sites on Earth (Coppo Valley) and the most rainy areas in East Africa (Fairfair).

Its economy is dominated by rain-based agriculture, with 80% of its population being engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Its production is backward, and the food self-sufficiency rate in good year is only 60% to 70%. It is one of the world's least developed countries. After its independence, the government focused on economic reconstruction and developed a market economy development strategy led by private economy.