
Cilacap (also spelt: Chilachap, old spelling: Tjilatjap) is a regency (Indonesian: kabupaten) in the southwestern part of Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Cilacap.
Cilacap is also a sea port on the southern coast of the island of Java. The port is one of only a few that exist on the southern coast that can service shipping of reasonable tonnage. The nearest safe anchorage east is Pacitan. The city's harbor is protected by Nusa Kambangan, an island best known as the site of several high-security prisons. The island sheltered Cilacap from the worst of the 2004 tsunami. Nevertheless, the disaster took 147 lives, devastated beaches, damaged 435 fishing boats and inflicted material losses amounting to about 86 billion rupees.
During World War II Cilacap was an important departure point for people fleeing the Japanese invasion, especially Dutch colonists. Many left the Dutch East Indies by boat or sea-plane, the majority heading for Broome in Western Australia.
The port is a hub for national or international trade. The city's Tunggul Wulung Airport has scheduled flights to Jakarta.
The city of Cilacap offers several tourist attractions highlighting Banyumasan culture. It has a population of 1,174,964.
The language used in Cilacap is Javanese Language, but most people can speak Indonesian. The dialect used is Banyumas dialect.
There are schools in Cilacap town but no university. There are several academies such as Akademi Maritim Nusantara. There is a new polytechnic, which is call Politeknik Cilacap.