A caching scheme for spatially distributed databases in which a central database maintains all information to be stored. A plurality of local databases include copies of the information stored in the central database. For each data record in the central database, there is at most one copy of the data record in the set of local databases.The caching scheme includes a method for serving database requests in which a service request is made to a first local database located in the area from which the request originates. If the first local database fails to service the request, the central database services the request. After serving the request, a second local database that contains the data record is identified and the data record therein is destroyed. A new copy is written to the first local database.