# Cacheu

> city

**Wikidata**: [Q1002807](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1002807)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacheu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cacheu

## Summary
Cacheu is a city in Guinea-Bissau that serves as the capital of both the Cacheu Region and the Cacheu Sector. With a population of 5,674 according to the 2009 census, it sits at coordinates 12.2780115° N, 16.1649709° W at an elevation of 44 meters above sea level. The city was part of the Portuguese Empire from 1588 until 1974.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City (large human settlement)
- **Location**: Guinea-Bissau; situated within Cacheu Sector
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 12.2780115, Longitude -16.1649709
- **Elevation**: 44 meters above sea level
- **Population**: 5,674 (2009 census)
- **Capital Status**: Capital of Cacheu Region and Cacheu Sector
- **UN/LOCODE**: GWCAC
- **Historical Sovereignty**: Portuguese Empire (1588–1974)
- **International Membership**: União das Cidades Capitais Liso-Afro-Américo-Asiáticas (joined 1989)
- **Sister Cities**: Lisbon (twinned 1988), Viana do Castelo (twinned 1988)
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in 30 languages
- **VIAF ID**: 125673509
- **GeoNames ID**: 2374311
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n99057223

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Cacheu?**
Cacheu is located in Guinea-Bissau within the Cacheu Sector, positioned at latitude 12.2780115 and longitude -16.1649709. The city sits at an elevation of 44 meters above sea level and is identified by the UN/LOCODE GWCAC.

**What is Cacheu's population and when was it recorded?**
Cacheu has a population of 5,674 people, according to the 2009 census conducted by Guinea-Bissau. This figure was determined through census methodology.

**What is Cacheu's historical relationship with Portugal?**
Cacheu was part of the Portuguese Empire from 1588 until 1974, spanning nearly four centuries. The city maintains cultural ties with Portugal through sister city relationships established in 1988 with both Lisbon and Viana do Castelo.

**What administrative functions does Cacheu serve?**
Cacheu serves as the capital of both the Cacheu Region and the Cacheu Sector, functioning as a dual administrative center within Guinea-Bissau's governmental structure.

**What international organizations is Cacheu affiliated with?**
Cacheu has been a member of the União das Cidades Capitais Luso-Afro-Américo-Asiáticas since 1989. This organization connects the city to a network of Lusophone-influenced capitals across multiple continents.

## Why It Matters
Cacheu represents a significant administrative and historical center within Guinea-Bissau, functioning as the capital of both a region and a sector. Its historical importance stems from nearly 400 years as part of the Portuguese Empire (1588–1974), leaving architectural and cultural legacies including the Forte de Cacheu, an old fortress that stands as a testament to the colonial era. The city's inclusion in the União das Cidades Capitais Luso-Afro-Américo-Asiáticas since 1989 connects it to a broader network of cities sharing Lusophone heritage across Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Its sister city relationships with Lisbon and Viana do Castelo, established in 1988, demonstrate continued diplomatic and cultural connections to Portugal. As a city documented in 30 Wikipedia language editions and cataloged across numerous international databases and library systems, Cacheu maintains global visibility as a geographic and historical point of reference.

## Notable For
- Serving as the dual capital of both Cacheu Region and Cacheu Sector
- Nearly 400 years of Portuguese colonial history (1588–1974)
- Membership in the União das Cidades Capitais Luso-Afro-Américo-Asiáticas international network
- Sister city relationships with two Portuguese cities (Lisbon and Viana do Castelo) established in 1988
- Historical Forte de Cacheu (Antiga fortalesa de Cacheu)
- Extensive international documentation across 30 Wikipedia language editions
- Recognition across multiple global identification systems (VIAF, GeoNames, Library of Congress, Encyclopædia Britannica)

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Position
Cacheu is a city located in Guinea-Bissau, specifically situated within the Cacheu Sector. The city's precise coordinates are latitude 12.2780115 and longitude -16.1649709, with an elevation of 44 meters above sea level. Cacheu holds a unique dual administrative role, serving as the capital of both the Cacheu Region and the Cacheu Sector simultaneously. The city is identified internationally by the UN/LOCODE GWCAC, which facilitates its recognition in trade and logistics contexts.

### Demographics
According to the 2009 census conducted in Guinea-Bissau, Cacheu has a population of 5,674 residents. This population figure was determined through official census methodology and represents the most recent documented count from the provided sources.

### Historical Context and Colonial Heritage
Cacheu's history is deeply intertwined with Portuguese colonial expansion. The city was part of the Portuguese Empire from 1588 until 1974, a period spanning 386 years. This colonial legacy is physically represented by the Forte de Cacheu (Antiga fortalesa de Cacheu), an old fortress that serves as a historical landmark. Photographic documentation of this fortress is available through Wikimedia Commons, underscoring its significance as a heritage site.

### International Relations and Memberships
Cacheu maintains active international connections through city networks and sister city agreements. In 1989, the city became a member of the União das Cidades Capitais Liso-Afro-Américo-Asiáticas, an organization that unites capital cities from regions influenced by Portuguese language and culture across Africa, the Americas, and Asia. The previous year, in 1988, Cacheu established sister city relationships with two Portuguese municipalities: Lisbon and Viana do Castelo. These partnerships reflect ongoing cultural and diplomatic ties between Cacheu and Portugal following the end of colonial rule.

### Documentation and Global Recognition
Cacheu is extensively cataloged across numerous international databases and reference systems. The city holds a VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) identifier 125673509, a Library of Congress Authority ID n99057223, and a National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007498947005171. Geographic identifiers include GeoNames ID 2374311, GNS Unique Feature ID -1488878, and Who's on First ID 421178361. The city is referenced in the Encyclopædia Britannica Online under the identifier place/Cacheu-Guinea-Bissau and appears in the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana with ID cacheu (formerly 0013264 under the old scheme). Additional identifiers include SNARC ID 1345, Freebase ID /m/058wcs, and Yale Lux ID place/2856bc36-0ff1-4f00-b038-26a8c7e2b385.

### Wikipedia and Wikimedia Presence
Cacheu has a substantial presence across Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects. The city is the subject of Wikipedia articles in 30 languages, including Arabic, Egyptian Arabic, Belarusian, Breton, Catalan, Cebuano, Czech, Danish, German, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Finnish, French, Northern Frisian, Galician, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Moksha, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Swedish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Chinese. On Wikimedia Commons, Cacheu is organized under the category "Cacheu" with a topic main category of Category:Cacheu. Visual resources include an image of the Forte de Cacheu and a locator map image (GW-Cacheu.png) showing the city's position within Guinea-Bissau. The Wikipedia entry has a sitelink count of 32, indicating its integration across multiple Wikimedia projects.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Instituto Nacional de Estatística](https://guinebissau.opendataforafrica.org/GWCENSUS2016/guinea-bissau-census-data-2009?accesskey=vothdpc)
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gw.htm)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File