Marl

Marl is a small town in the west of germany. It is part of the state Nordrhine Westfalia, the area is called the "Ruhr area". As one of ten towns in the district "Recklinghausen", it expansed on 87,7km² with a population number from around 90.000 people ( that are 1023 resedents/ km²).
As I got to know lately the town was already settled 600 a.C. by te Celts, which were frightend away by the Teutons. The Romans followed but pulled back after the "Battle of the Teutoburg Forrest" 9 p.C. 80p.C. the tribe of the Brukerer settled and a few y
ears later (during the next centurys) the Saxons settled as well.
In medevil times Marl was involved in several wars and in the late 19th century 2 coal mines were opened; the first one was closed 1972 and the second one is subsidized for years now - it has to close in the next years.
Formed in 1938 the "Chemical factory Hüls" was one of the main employers in Marl. This was one reason for the town to be bombed during the 2nd World war and afterwards occupied by the Americans.
1974 the "Marler Stern" - the one shopping mall- opened. It was a spectacular moment, this building with its 2 storages 180m long and 25m wide. Especially the "Air cushion roof" was a new invention.

So, in this industrial town I grew up and now I am back. By the way - 60% of the area is green: parks, fields, forest and waters.