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a city in and the capital of Eritrea, in N Ethiopia.
a republic in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: Italian colony 1890–1941; province of Ethiopia 1962–93; independent since 1993. 47,076 sq. mi. (121,927 sq. km).
Capital: Asmara.
Historical Examples

The view over the plain to the west is bounded by the Mediterranean, intersected by the bold outlines of the island of Asmara.
Rambles in the Islands of Corsica and Sardinia Thomas Forester

A railway connects Massawa with Asmara, the capital of the colony.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 7 Various

An extension of the line is planned from Asmara to Sabderat and Kassala.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 Various

A railway from Massawa to Asmara was completed as far as Ghinda, at the foot of the plateau, in 1904.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 Various

The whole of the hill country north of Asmara belongs to the drainage area of the Baraka or Anseba.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 Various

The port was the capital of the Italian colony until 1900 when the seat of administration was removed to Asmara (see Eritrea).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 7 Various

In 1900 the seat of government was transferred from Massawa to Asmara, which in its modern form is the creation of the Italians.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 Various

Asmara, an Amharic word signifying “good pasture place,” is a town of considerable antiquity.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 Various

noun
the capital of Eritrea; cathedral (1922); Grand Mosque (1937); university (1958). Pop: 615 000 (2005 est)
noun
a small country in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: became an Italian colony in 1890; federated with Ethiopia (1952–93); an independence movement was engaged in war with the Ethiopian government from 1961 until independence was gained in 1993; consists of hot and arid coastal lowlands, rising to the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. Languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Afar, and others. Religions: Muslim and Christian. Currency: nakfa. Capital: Asmara. Pop: 6 233 682 (2013 est). Area: 117 400 sq km (45 300 sq miles)

named 1890 when it was an Italian colony, from Mare Erythreum, Roman name of the Red Sea, from Greek Erythre Thalassa, literally “Red Sea” (to the Greeks also including the Gulf of Arabia and the Indian Ocean), from erythros “red” (see red (1)).
Eritrea [(er-i-tree-uh)]

Country in northeastern Africa bordered by Sudan to the north and west, Ethiopia to the south, Djibouti to the southeast, and the Red Sea to the east. Its capital is Asmara. After a long struggle, Eritrea declared its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A border conflict with Ethiopia flared between 1998 and 2000.