- Bolama
Infobox Settlement
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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Guinea-Bissau
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subdivision_name1 =Bolama Region
subdivision_type2 = District
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population_as_of = 2008 (est)
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population_total = 10,014
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latd=11 |latm=35 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=15 |longm=28 |longs= |longEW=W
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footnotes =Bolama is the closest of the
Bijagós Islands to the mainland ofGuinea-Bissau , and is also the name of the island's main town, the capital of theBolama Region . Population 10,014 (2008 est). [ [http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&geo=-95 World Gazetteer] , Retrieved onJune 16 2008 ]It is almost surrounded by
mangrove swamp s and is known for itscashew nut s. Although often visited by local people, the island was apparently uninhabited when Britishcolonist s settled it in 1792. Following a series of failures, they abandoned the island in 1794, another colonisation attempt in 1814 also being quickly ended.The Portuguese also claimed Bolama in 1830 and a dispute developed. In 1860 the British proclaimed the island annexed to
Sierra Leone , but in 1870 a commission chaired byUlysses S. Grant awarded Bolama to Portugal. Subsequently, in 1879, Bolama became the firstcapital ofPortuguese Guinea and remained so until its transfer toBissau in 1941. This transfer was needed due to the shortage of fresh water. Bolama later became aseaplane stop, and a seaplane crash in 1931 is commemorated by a statue in the town.The abandoned houses of the old capital provide a shelter for many thousands of enormous fruit eating bats. Every evening, these bats flock to the mainland, darkening the skies.
A fruit processing plant was built on Bolama shortly after independence of Guinea Bissau, with Dutch foreign aid. This plant produced canned juice and jelly of cashew fruit. However, it could not expand and had to shut down its operations, due to the shortage of fresh water on the island.
Attractions on the island include sandy beaches and the
Bolama Governor's Palace . It is also designated as abiosphere reserve, and the Guinea-Bissauan government is aiming for it to be designated the nation's firstWorld Heritage Site . Acauseway links the island to theIlha das Cobras .References
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