Coptic Christianity, a form of Christianity that originated in Egypt, was brought to the country in the A.D. 300's. Islam came to Eritrea in the 600's. Eritrea's educational system was shaped under Italian rule and expanded under British rule. The long civil war severely disrupted the educational system. As a result, a majority of Eritrea's children have not received much formal education.
Illiteracy remains a serious problem in the country.
Eritrea has one university, the University of Eritrea, in Asmara. Land and climate. The plain rises to highlands in the central part of Eritrea. Mount Soira, in the highlands, is the country's highest peak. The highlands drop to lowlands in the west.