Marka, also Merka or Merca, town, southeastern Somalia, in Banaadir Region, on the Indian Ocean, near Mogadishu. The town has oilseed-processing and fishing industries, and textiles, boats, and paper products are manufactured here. Bananas are exported, shipped to the coast from the rich irrigated area around nearby Janhale on the Shabeelle (Shebele) River, 13 km (8 mi) to the northwest. An agricultural college is situated in Janhale, which also trades in corn, sorghum, peanuts, sugarcane, tobacco, and cotton. Under Italian rule the name of the town was spelled Merca. Population (1985 estimate) 70,000.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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