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Eritrea's nine nationalities


Tigrinya *) 2,230,000 50% Central highlands of Maakel and Debub

Tigre **) 1,208,000 27% Western lowlands across the northern mountains to the coastal plains

Saho **) 242,000 5% Red sea coast (Foro) and the hinterland south of Asmara and Massawa and the highlands as far as Hazumo Valley

Afar **) 215,000 5% Also known as Dankils, along the southeastern Red Sea coast and on the Dahlak islands

Hedareb **) 202,000 4% Also known as T'badwe in western Barka (Tessenei) and Sahel

Kunama 144,000 3% Around Barentu

Bilen **) 112,000 2% In and around Keren

Nara **) 107,000 2% Also known as Baria, on the western slopes and Barka plains

Rashaida **) 40,000 1% Northern Red sea coast
Total 4,500,000 100%

*) predominantly Christian
**) predominantly Muslim

Jiberti Muslims regard themselves as an additional (tenth) nationality.

Another ethic group is the Tokharir, migrant Nigerians who have settled on the banks of the Gash river on their way to or from Mecca.

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