Marka stands as one of the important Somalia regions, which was also prominent in olden days when the country was under foreign domination.
Marka is the name that is commonly accepted by the Arabic speaking Somalis, however the name had Italian connections as well, when it was a colony of Italy. Then it was well known as Merca, as the Italians referred to the place. There is also a tiny town by the name of Marka, that is situated in the southeastern part of Somali and is quite close to the capital city of Mogadishu.
Marka History
It is said that Marka became famous for 15 minutes by becoming the focal point of the Banana war. The story goes like this. 2 war makers fought violently over Marka as the place was crucially important for the banana trade, where it exported good quantities of bananas. Both wanted to gain prominence over the trade and thus the fight took place. Today the cultivation of high quality bananas takes place in the irrigated and fertile lands around the region of Janhale that is close to the Somali river Shabelle or Shebele. There is a notable water port in Marka. People visiting Marka can definitely take a stroll along the Somali beach named as Sinbusi that is quite nice. The Marka lighthouse is also a building that relates the region’s history.
Marka is quite famous for its fish industries, boat making, textile productions, paper manufacturing and oilseed processing.