What is Merca?

Merca, also known as Marca, Marka and Merka, is a port city located in the southern portion of Somalia along the Indian Ocean. Local Arabic-speaking Somalians refer to the city as Marka, while Merca is a name leftover from its history as an Italian colony.

Merca has been a port city, since it was established by traders in the fifth century. Other notable industries are fishing, textile manufacturing and oilseed processing.

Due to the presence of coral reefs, light ships must be used to transfer goods from the shore to their vessels. The port of Merca is destined to remain small due to this limitation. Bananas are the port's principle export and are grown nearby.