The Spanish-speaking world spans across multiple continents, including Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Spanish is the official or national language in 20 countries, each with its own unique culture, history, and dialect.
Countries and Regions
Here is a list of countries where Spanish is an official language, grouped by region:
- Europe
- Spain*: The origin of the Spanish language, known for its diverse regions like Catalonia, Andalusia, and Madrid.
- Africa
- Equatorial Guinea*: Spanish is one of three official languages in this small Central African country.
- Western Sahara*: A disputed territory where Spanish is used alongside Arabic.
- Americas
- Mexico*: The most populous Spanish-speaking country, with a rich indigenous and colonial heritage.
- Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama*: Central American countries with shared histories and varied regional dialects.
- Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico*: Caribbean nations with distinctive accents and African, European, and indigenous influences.
- Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia*: Andean nations with a mix of indigenous languages and Spanish.
- Paraguay*: Notable for its bilingualism in Spanish and Guaraní.
- Chile, Argentina, Uruguay*: Southern Cone countries known for their unique accents and Italian influence.
Cultural Highlights
- Spain: Famous for flamenco, bullfighting, and the historical region of Andalusia.
- Mexico: Known for its cuisine (tacos, mole), Day of the Dead celebrations, and ancient Aztec and Maya sites.
- Argentina: Renowned for tango music and dance, as well as its beef and vineyards.
- Colombia: Celebrated for its coffee, Caribbean coast, and festivals like Barranquilla.
- Cuba: Known for its salsa music, vintage cars, and revolutionary history.
cuisine
cocina
'Cocina' means 'cuisine' or 'kitchen' in Spanish.
Dialectical Variations
- Spain: Includes Castilian Spanish with the "th" sound (theta) and regional languages like Catalan and Galician.
- Mexico and Central America: Generally uses the "s" sound, with some indigenous vocabulary.
- Caribbean: Features dropped consonants and rapid speech.
- Andes: Includes Quechua and Aymara loanwords.
- Southern Cone: Uses "voseo" (vos instead of tú) and has Italian-influenced intonation.
loanword
préstamo lingüístico
'Préstamo lingüístico' means 'linguistic loanword', referring to a word borrowed from another language.
Summary
Spanish-speaking countries are diverse in geography, culture, and language. They share a common language but express it in unique regional ways that reflect their histories and identities.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
