In 1446, the first Portuguese sailors arrived to what is now Guinea-Bissau searching for gold. The territory subsequently became administered as part of the Portuguese Cape Verde islands before being separated and called Portuguese Guinea.[1] Portuguese Guinea became an important post in the Atlantic slave trade, particularly to Brazil. In 1879, Guinea-Bissau becomes a separate colony within the Portuguese Empire.[1]
Since independence, relations between Guinea-Bissau and Portugal have remained strong. There are many cultural similarities between both nations. There have also been several high-level visits between leaders of both nations and both countries work closely together within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.