Merca 1853972 225192236 2008-07-12T11:14:49Z 78.93.13.2 {{Infobox Settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |official_name = Merca |other_name = |native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English --> |nickname = |settlement_type = <!--For Town or Village (Leave blank for the default City)--> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = Merca minaret moonrise.jpg |imagesize = 300px |image_caption = Minaret and moonrise in Merca |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = MercaSomalia&land map.png |mapsize = 300px |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_mapsize =300 |pushpin_label_position =bottom |pushpin_map_caption =Location in Somalia <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|Somalia}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Somalia|Region]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Lower Shabele]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Somalia|District]] |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of = |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =350,000 est. |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_blank2_title = |population_blank2 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |latd=|latm=|lats=|latNS=N |longd=|longm=|longs=|longEW=E <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone =[[East Africa Time ]] |utc_offset = +3 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }} [[Image:Merca boats.jpg|thumb|left|Beach in Merca]] '''Merca''' ([[Somali language|Somali]] ''Marka'') is a port city in southern [[Somalia]] on the [[Indian Ocean]]. It is the main city in the [[Lower Shabele]] region and is located approximately 70 km (45 miles) southwest of the capital [[Mogadishu]]. The town was established in the 7th century by the '[[Biimaal]]' clan ( Biyomaal in english ). The first [[Somali people|Somalis]] arrived in the city in the 6th century and gained control of the city and the trade in the region till the 21st century. The Biyomaal of Merca fought against the Italian colonial rulers of Italian Somaliland in a twenty-year war known as the Biyamaal Revolt in which the Dir assassinated several Italian governors. During the Biyamaal Revolt several prominent leaders were killed and their memorial monuments can still be found in Merca in the Shabeellaha Hoose region. In the late 20th century, the town became known as a [[beach resort]], although it has been severely damaged during the [[Somali Civil War]]. <!--As historians tell, Ahmed Bin Ibrahim Al-ghazi has visited Marka before his death by European Mercenaries. He was a close relative to Sh Hassan Barsame. it is said he searched for military assistance both hardware and men and is believed more of his army from there in Marka.--> {{coor title dm|1|42.89|N|44|46.2|E|region:SO_type:city}} [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Somalia]] {{Somalia-geo-stub}} [[de:Merka]] [[it:Merca]] [[nl:Marka]] [[ja:メルカ]] [[pl:Merka]] [[ro:Merca]] [[so:Marka]]