Eritrea, officially known as the State of Eritrea, is a country located in Eastern Africa. It is bordered by Djibouti to the southeast, Ethiopia to the south, and Sudan to the west. With its strategic position along the Red Sea, Eritrea has an extensive coastline in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country. Spanning an area of approximately 117,600 square kilometers (45,406 square miles), Eritrea is characterized by diverse geographical features. The landscape is marked by mountain ranges that have been formed as a result of the processes shaping the Great Rift Valley. The western regions of Eritrea are blessed with fertile lands, while the east is predominantly desert. The country operates under a unitary one-party presidential republic system, with the president serving as the chief of state and head of government. Eritrea’s economy is directed by the central government, which is controlled by a single political party, following a command economy model. Eritrea is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and boasts a strategic location along major shipping lanes.