Northern Red Sea region – Massawa, historic port of the Red Sea
The Northern Red Sea region stretches along most of Eritrea's coastline and includes the historic port city of Massawa and the Dahlak Archipelago. For centuries Massawa was a gateway between Africa and the Red Sea trade routes, and its old town still reflects the Ottoman, Egyptian and Italian influences that followed one another here. Further south along the coast lie the remains of ancient Adulis, once an important harbour of the Aksumite kingdom. The Dahlak islands, with their coral reefs and small fishing communities, add another chapter to the region's maritime heritage. Today the region is home to around 650,000 people, according to 2005 figures. Do you have stories about the harbour, the islands or your own family's past? Share them with us and help keep local history alive.