Asmara, also known as Asmera, is the capital and most populous city of Eritrea, situated in the country's Central Region. Located at an elevation of 2,325 metres (7,628 ft), it ranks as the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude and the second highest in Africa. The city sits at the tip of an escarpment that marks both the northwestern edge of the Eritrean Highlands and the Great Rift Valley in neighboring Ethiopia.
The city's origins are rooted in local traditions, which state it was founded when four separate villages unified to live together peacefully following long periods of conflict. It served as a significant settlement for over half a millennium due to its position on the trade route to Massawa. However, Asmara rose to major prominence during the 20th century when it became the capital of Italian Eritrea.
During the period of Italian rule, the city underwent rapid urbanization and modernization, earning the nickname "Piccola Roma." Because of its well-preserved Italian colonial modernist architecture, Asmara was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.