.jpg)
.jpg)
Sitting in the picturesque foothills of northernEritrea,Keren is the country's second-largest city and regional capital of the surrounding districts. Approximately 146,000 people belonging to various tribes and ethnic groups call the city home. The dominant tribes — Bilen and Tigre — represent over 80 percent of the city's population.
The city grew after the establishment of the Eritrean Railway by the Italian colonial powers. It was an important stop beforeAsmara, from where the line would continue onto the coast atMassawa. Unfortunately, decades of warfare left the railway in disrepair and it has been largely dismantled. There are plans to eventually restore the line.
After Eritrean Independence, Keren entered a transitional development stage. The government, hoping to improve the economic importance of the country's second-largest city, further developed its infrastructure and educational system.
| Keren | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keren experiences a semi-arid desert climate, with the hottest period being March until June and the coolest from October to February. Weather is sparse throughout the year, except the rainy season that stretches from mid-June to mid-September. The rain can provide a pleasant relief from the hot African sun.
The most obvious thing you will see upon entering Keren is its beautiful landscape. Rugged mountains dot the outskirts of the city and create a nice setting to explore the rest of what this city has to offer, such as century-old ruins, bustling markets and Italianate architecture.
(updated Feb 2021)
There are five small lodges or 'pensions' in Keren.
| Thiscity travel guide toKerenis anoutlineand needs more content. It has atemplate, but there is not enoughinformation present. Pleaseplunge forward andhelp it grow! |
