Italian East Africa, known in Italian as Africa Orientale Italiana, was a colony that lasted from 1936 — 1941, and was made up of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Italian Somaliland, and (later) British Somaliland (modern-day Somalia is made up of these last two). Stamps were issued for use in this large area by its colonizers, the Kingdom of Italy.
Some stamps from this era were Italian issues overprinted with the initials of the new colony in Italian, A.O.I. Other stamps from Italian East Africa were issued especially for the colony. Both of these types are collectible, though the latter are generally easier to find.
The Italian administration over the area ended in 1941.
