Cacheu
| Cacheu | |
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 Cacheu
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| Coordinates: 12°16′N 16°10′W / 12.267°N 16.167°W | |
| Country |  Guinea-Bissau |
| Region | Cacheu Region |
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| Population (2008 est.) | |
| - Total | 9,849 |
Cacheu is a town in north western Guinea-Bissau, lying on the Cacheu River. Population 9,849 (2008 est).[1]
[edit] History and landmarks
The town of Cacheu is situated in territory of the Papel people.
Cacheu was one of the earliest European colonial settlements in sub-saharan Africa, due to its strategic location on the Cacheu river. Cacheu developed a European/Afro-European population from the late fifteenth century through informal settlement of Cape Verdian and Portugues traders, adventurers and outcasts (lancados). The authorities in mainland Portugal also sent to Cacheu degregados - people condemned to exile for a variety of offences.[2]
For most of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Cacheu was the official slave trading point for the Portuguese in the Upper Guinea region - the point at which duties on all slaves exported had to be paid.
Notable buildings in Cacheu include the Portuguese-built 16th century fort, dating from the period when Cacheu was a centre for the slave trade.
[edit] Cacheu Today
Roads in the town are paved with oil palm kernels. Other attractions in the town include the Tarafes de Cacheu Natural Park mangrove swamp and a regular market.
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Coordinates: 12°16′N 16°10′W / 12.267°N 16.167°W
[edit] References
- ^ World Gazetteer, Retrieved on June 16, 2008
- ^ Disney, AR (2009). A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire. 2. Cambridge University Press. pp. 51–55.
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