<P> The island changed hands frequently during the colonial era . The first European to visit the island was the Portuguese explorer Nuno Tristão , in 1443 . In 1445 , Prince Henry the Navigator set up a trading post on the island , which acquired gum arabic and slaves for Portugal . By 1455 , 800 slaves were shipped from Arguin to Portugal every year . </P>
<P> The island changed hands frequently during the colonial era . The first European to visit the island was the Portuguese explorer Nuno Tristão , in 1443 . In 1445 , Prince Henry the Navigator set up a trading post on the island , which acquired gum arabic and slaves for Portugal . By 1455 , 800 slaves were shipped from Arguin to Portugal every year . </P>
the island of arguim was used by the portuguese as a
the island of arguim was used by the portuguese as a
trading post
trading post