In southwestern Africa, Portuguese Angola (Portuguese: Angola Portuguesa) was a historical colony of the Portuguese Empire (1575–1951), the overseas province Portuguese West Africa of Estado Novo Portugal (1951–1972), and the State of Angola of the Portuguese Empire (1972–1975). The People's Republic of Angola became independent in 1975 until 1992, when the country officially changed to the "Republic of Angola" as a multi-party democratic republic. Brazil was the first country to recognize Angola's independence.
In the 16th and 17th century, Portugal ruled along the coast and engaged in military conflicts with the Kingdom of Kongo, but in the 18th century, Portugal gradually managed to colonise the interior highlands.