The islands of Cape Verde were discovered between 1460 and 1462 by Portuguese and Genoese sailors in the service of the Portuguese Crown. There is no evidence of human settlement on Cape Verde prior to the arrival of the Portuguese.[1] Due to Cape Verde's proximity to the African coast, Portuguese sailors began to settle on the islands and given their strategic position, the islands served as a trading and supply warehouse, with particular emphasis on the Atlantic slave trade, particularly to Brazil.[2] By the 19th century, the slave traded ended for Cape Verde, and many people of African origin settled on the islands and mixed with many of the Portuguese settlers creating the predominantly mestiça society of the islands today.[citation needed]
Since independence, relations between Cape Verde and Portugal have remained strong. There are many cultural similarities between both nations and many of Cape Verde's inhabitants have Portuguese ancestry. 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.
In 1998, Cape Verde and Portugal signed a Trade agreement.[3] In 2017, trade between both nations totaled €284 million Euros.[3] Portugal is Cape Verde's second largest trading partner (after Spain).[3]
