# Grand-Bassam > city of côte d'ivoire **Wikidata**: [Q582922](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q582922) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand-Bassam) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grand-bassam ## Summary Grand-Bassam is a port city and commune in southeastern Côte d'Ivoire, serving as the capital of the Grand-Bassam Department in the Sud-Comoé Region. The city is notable for containing the Historic town of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its colonial-era architecture and cultural significance, with a population of 124,567 as of 2021. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Southeastern Côte d'Ivoire, coordinates 5.2°N, -3.733333°W - **Administrative status**: Capital of Grand-Bassam Department; fifth-level administrative unit (commune of Ivory Coast) - **Classification**: Port city; large human settlement - **Population**: 124,567 (2021 census) - **Area**: 127 square kilometres total; World Heritage Site core: 109.89 hectares; buffer zone: 552.39 hectares - **Elevation**: 7 metres above sea level - **Timezone**: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - **Demonym**: Bassamois - **Founded**: Historical capital of French Ivory Coast - **Notable entity**: Historic town of Grand-Bassam (UNESCO World Heritage Site, ID: 1322) - **Football club**: USC Bassam (founded 1947) - **Official website**: http://www.villedegrandbassam.ci/ - **Languages**: Wikipedia available in 46 languages including English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish ## FAQs **What is Grand-Bassam known for?** Grand-Bassam is best known as the historic capital of French Ivory Coast and for containing the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Historic town of Grand-Bassam, which preserves colonial-era architecture and was once the main port and administrative center of Côte d'Ivoire. **Is Grand-Bassam a coastal city?** Yes, Grand-Bassam is a port city located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It was historically the primary gateway for trade and colonial administration in Côte d'Ivoire. **What is the population of Grand-Bassam?** The population of Grand-Bassam was 124,567 according to the 2021 census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Côte d'Ivoire. **What language is spoken in Grand-Bassam?** French is the official language, and the local demonym is "Bassamois." The city has Wikipedia articles in 46 different languages, reflecting its international recognition. **What is the Historic town of Grand-Bassam?** The Historic town of Grand-Bassam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the old colonial quarter of the city. It covers 109.89 hectares with a 552.39-hectare buffer zone, representing one of the best-preserved examples of colonial architecture in West Africa. ## Why It Matters Grand-Bassam holds significant historical, cultural, and economic importance for Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa as a whole. As the former capital of French Ivory Coast, it served as the primary entry point for French colonial administration and trade from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. The city's historic quarter preserves architectural and urban planning elements that reflect the colonial period, making it an invaluable cultural asset. The designation of the Historic town of Grand-Bassam as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 recognized its universal value as a testament to the colonial encounter and its impact on urban development in West Africa. This recognition has helped preserve the city's unique character and supported sustainable tourism development. Economically, Grand-Bassam continues to function as a port city, maintaining its historic role as a gateway for trade. The city's diverse population and its position as a departmental capital contribute to regional governance and administration. The presence of USC Bassam, one of Ivory Coast's oldest football clubs founded in 1947, demonstrates the city's sporting and social significance. ## Notable For - Former capital of French Ivory Coast during the colonial period - UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic town of Grand-Bassam, inscribed 2012) - One of the oldest port cities in Côte d'Ivoire - Headquarters of USC Bassam football club (founded 1947) - Contains one of the best-preserved colonial-era urban centers in West Africa - Fifth-level administrative unit (commune) in the Ivorian administrative system - Located in the Sud-Comoé Region, a key cocoa and coffee production area - Official website: www.villedegrandbassam.ci ## Body ### Geography and Administration Grand-Bassam is situated in southeastern Côte d'Ivoire at coordinates 5.2°N latitude and -3.733333°W longitude, approximately 40 kilometers east of Abidjan along the coast. The city sits at an elevation of 7 metres above sea level, characteristic of the coastal lowland terrain of the region. Administratively, Grand-Bassam serves as the capital of the Grand-Bassam Department, which is located within the Sud-Comoé Region. As a commune of Ivory Coast—a fifth-level administrative unit in the country's decentralized structure—the city holds significant administrative importance for the surrounding area. The city is located within the Grand-Bassam Department, which itself is a key territorial division in the eastern part of the country. ### Historical Significance The city rose to prominence as the capital of French Ivory Coast from the colonial period until 1934, when the capital was transferred to Abidjan. During this period, Grand-Bassam served as the main port, commercial center, and administrative hub for the French colonial administration. The historic town preserves buildings and urban layouts from this era, representing the architectural and social patterns of French colonial rule in West Africa. The Historic town of Grand-Bassam was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The World Heritage property encompasses 109.89 hectares of the historic core, with an additional 552.39-hectare buffer zone designated for protection. This recognition acknowledges the site's outstanding universal value as an example of colonial urban planning and architecture. ### Demographics and Society The population of Grand-Bassam was recorded as 124,567 in the 2021 general census of population and housing (RGPH2021) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Côte d'Ivoire. The local demonym for residents is "Bassamois" (feminine: Bassamoise). The city is characterized by its multicultural composition, reflecting its history as a colonial administrative center and port. French remains the official language, though local languages are spoken throughout the surrounding region. ### Economy and Infrastructure As a port city, Grand-Bassam maintains its historic role as a center for trade and commerce. The city is connected to national and international shipping routes through its port facilities. The surrounding region is known for cocoa and coffee production, agricultural commodities that historically drove the city's economic activity. The official website of the city is http://www.villedegrandbassam.ci/, providing information about municipal services and local government. ### Cultural and Sports Institutions Grand-Bassam is home to USC Bassam, one of the oldest football clubs in Ivory Coast, founded in 1947. The club has played a significant role in Ivorian football history and continues to represent the city in national competitions. The city contains the Historic town of Grand-Bassam, which serves as a major cultural attraction, drawing visitors interested in colonial history and architecture. The preservation of this area has supported cultural tourism and educational activities. ### International Identification and References Grand-Bassam is identified by numerous international reference systems: - **Wikidata ID**: - **VIAF ID**: 153703333 - **GND ID**: 4261371-1 - **GeoNames ID**: 2288115 - **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 1593622307 - **Freebase ID**: /m/03yjlh - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n87891554 - **Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID**: 7016552 - **UNESCO World Heritage Site ID**: 1322 The city has Wikipedia articles in 46 languages, demonstrating its international recognition and relevance. The Wikimedia Commons category for Grand-Bassam contains photographic documentation of the city and its historic sites. ### Time and Location Grand-Bassam operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), consistent with Ivory Coast's national timezone. The city covers an area of 127 square kilometres, making it a moderately sized urban center by Ivorian standards. ## References 1. [Source](http://www.villedegrandbassam.ci/presentation.html) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. [Source](https://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/1322) 4. [Source](https://tamaafrika.mondoblog.org/2014/05/15/grand-bassam-ville-coloniale/) 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. [2022](https://ins.ci/RGPH2021/RGPH2021-RESULTATS%20GLOBAUX_VF.pdf) 7. GeoNames