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Massawa
Massawa , city (1984 pop. 15,441), Eritrea, a port on the Red Sea. Before Eritrean independence (1993) it was the main port for N Ethiopia and is linked by rail with Asmara . Agreements with Eritrea gave Ethiopia continued access to its port facilities, but after the border war (1998–2000) between the two countries Ethiopian use of the port ended, severely affecting the local economy. Major industries include meat processing and the production of cement and salt. Fishing is also important to the economy. Long a commercial port, Massawa was part of the kingdom of Aksum (c.1st–8th cent. AD). In 1577 it was captured by the Ottoman Turks, who in 1868 transferred it to Egyptian control. In 1885, Massawa was taken by Italy, and from 1889 to 1900 it was the capital of the Italian colony of Eritrea. Until Etritrean independence it was the main base of the Ethiopian navy, which had a naval training school there. The secessionist Eritrean movement was involved in fighting against the Ethiopian government in the city. Massawa's port was especially important for receiving arms shipments and the city was heavily damaged during the 30-year war of independence. Its name is also spelled Massaua and Mitsiwa. |
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"Massawa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Massawa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Massawa.html "Massawa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Massawa.html |
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Massawa
Massawa, Eritrea An island and port whose name, according to popular etymology, comes from the Ethiopic mĕsŭwā′ ‘loud call’ or ‘shout’. There are two competing legends: in the first, a fisherman is said to have claimed that a man shouting loudly, could make himself heard from one end of the island to the other (it is about 1 000 yards (1 km) long); in the other, traders on the mainland had to shout loudly for boats from the island to come and fetch them.
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Cite this article
JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Massawa." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Massawa." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Massawa.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Massawa." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Massawa.html |
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Massawa
Massawa •Aconcagua
•aqua, sub-aqua
•Chihuahua, Kurosawa, Massawa, Okinawa, Tokugawa
•Qwaqwa • Quechua
•Chichewa, rewarewa
•Ojibwa • Interlingua • siliqua • Iowa
•Medawar • Te Kanawa • Ottawa
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Cite this article
"Massawa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Massawa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Massawa.html "Massawa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Massawa.html |
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