Massawa

Massawa

The port city of Massawa, located in the northern Red Sea region of Eritrea, at the northern end of Zula Bay, next to the Dahlak Archipelago. For centuries it has been a historically important port. It was the capital of the Italian Colony of Eritrea until 1897, when the seat of the colonial government was moved to Asmara. Massawa is one of the world's hottest places, with an average annual temperature of 30°C. In the 16th century it was an Ethiopian port, then in 1557 it came under Ottoman control. Over the next 300 years, it changed hands from time to time, and in 1885 it passed into Italian hands, serving as the capital of the colony of Eritrea until 1900. Massawa, which was conquered by British forces in 1941, was under British administration until Eritrea's federation with Ethiopia in 1952. The city was severely damaged in 1990 in the Eritrean war of independence. It exports agricultural goods, mainly oilseeds, nuts, leather and coffee, salt, fish and pearls, and imports industrial products. Massawa is a major tourist center with both Italian and Arabic influences in its architecture. The majority of the population is Muslim. The Sheikh Hanafi Mosque on the island of Massawa is one of the oldest mosques in the country. The city is said to be home to Africa's oldest mosque, the Mosque of the Companions. It is said to have been built by the Companions of Muhammad, who were fleeing the persecution of the Meccans.