2. Merkato Market (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Photo credit: Trip Adviser
The Merkato open-air market is in the west of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The sprawling commercial center, where nearly every merchandise is available for sale, spreads over several square kilometers of the Addia Ketema sub-city, one of the 10 sub-cities that make up Addis Ababa.
In Merkato, newly built modern shopping malls exist side by side with the old makeshift stores. And chains of stores selling a particular item have the word Terra affixed to them as a suffix. This is helpful, as it helps newcomers and shoppers find their way around the market.
For instance, Goma Terra describes a “chain of stores selling vehicle tires” while Atikilt Terra, describes the row of shops where a variety of fruits and vegetables are brought directly from the countryside to be sold at a discounted price.
