[1] Situated in the Red Sea off of the coast of Eritrea, it was formerly called Dahlak Deset.

Dahlak Kebir has a population of around 2,500 people speaking the Dahalik language.

Its major industries include fishing, sea cucumber collection and tourism.

The village of Dahlak Kebir lies on the west of the island and is known for its ancient cisterns and necropolis, dating from at least AD 912.

Other features of the island include pre-Islamic ruins at Adel, wildlife, and mangrove swamps.