Bubaque

Bubaque
Port area of Bubaque
Bubaque
Location in Guinea-Bissau
Coordinates: 11°17′N 15°50′W / 11.283°N 15.833°W / 11.283; -15.833
Country Guinea-Bissau
Region Bolama Region
District Bubaque District
Area
 • Land 28 sq mi (70 km2)
Population (2008)
 • Total 9,244
Time zone UTC(UTC-0) (GMT)

Coordinates: 11°17′N 15°50′W / 11.283°N 15.833°W / 11.283; -15.833

Bubaque (Bidyogo: Bubake or Bubaki) is one of the Bijagós Islands in Guinea-Bissau, and is also the name of its main town. The island has a population of 9,244 (2008 est).[1] The area of the island is 75 km², it is 13.6 km long and 8 km wide.

The island is known for its wildlife and is heavily forested. It is linked by ferry to Bissau and has an airstrip. It is also where the Unesco nature reserve headquarters is situated, as well as a museum.[2] In the colonial times, the island was affected by the presence of Europeans chosen by German settlers before World War I and Portuguese government up to the end of Portuguese rule. In the early 20th century, the Germans built a factory used for oil palm extraction[3] and an 18 km long paved road, probably the first in the Bijagos Archipelago. Its ruins of the oil palm factory are now used for a market hall.[4]

Transportation

The Bubaque airport serves the island. A weekly ferry runs to Bissau from Bubaque's port. All transportation on the island itself is done by motorbike or on foot.

Sports

The most popular football (soccer) club in Bubaque and the island is FC Bijagós, it is one of the chief clubs of Bijagós and is becoming the archipelago's most popular club. Another club once played at top level competitions is Tubarões de Bubaque Bijagós.

Notable people

  • Stefanie Gercke (b. 1941), German-South African writer
  • Juvêncio Gomes (b. 1944), fighter for the PAIGC and later mayor of Bissau

References

  1. ↑ World Gazetteer Archived October 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., Retrieved on June 16, 2008
  2. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/may/21/guinea-bissau-beach-holidays Retrieved on July 18, 2012
  3. ↑ Luigi Scantamburlo, Etnologia dos bijagós da Ilha de Bubaque. (Bijagan (Bidyogo) Ethnology of Bubaque Island)
  4. ↑ "Auf den Spuren der Deutschen in Bubaque" (in German). Blog at the Bolama page. April 27, 2010.


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