is the closest of the Bijagós Islands to the mainland of Guinea-Bissau , and is also the name of the island's main town, the capital of the Bolama Region . It is almost surrounded by Mangrove Swamp s and is known for its Cashew Nut s. Although often visited by local people, the island was apparently uninhabited when British Colonist s settled it in 1792 . Following a series of failures, they abandoned the island in 1794 , another colonisation attempt in 1814 also being quickly ended.
The Portuguese also claimed Bolama in 1830 and a dispute developed. In 1860 the British proclaimed the island annexed to Sierra Leone , but in 1870 a commission chaired by Ulysses S. Grant awarded Bolama to Portugal. Subsequently, in 1879 , Bolama became the first Capital of Portuguese Guinea and remained so until its transfer to Bissau in 1941 . It later became a Seaplane stop, and a seaplane crash in 1931 is commemorated by a statue in the town.
Attractions on the island include Sand y Beach es and the Bolama Governor's Palace . It is also designated as a Biosphere Reserve , and the Guinea-Bissauan government is aiming for it to be designated the nation's first World Heritage Site . A Causeway links the island to the Ilha Das Cobras .
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