Italy and Brazil share a long-lasting relationship. Not only Brazil hosts one of Italy's oldest diplomatic missions - since 1861 - but approximately 31 million Brazilians (15% of the country's population) have Italian ancestry, making Brazil the country with the biggest population, outside Italy, with full or partial Italian ancestry. Italy is one of Brazil's most important trading partners at the same time that also is one of the most popular destinations for Brazilians expats. On the diplomatic a level both countries have strengthened their ties with a number of bilateral agreements since the end of World War II, with Rome and Brasilia being important economic and strategic allies since.