Did you know that it's not just Brazil and Portugal that speak Portuguese? There are other countries that speak this language, and together these total 280 million speakers. Portuguese is also known as Romance or Neo-Latin language, being the fifth most spoken language in the world, and is part of the official languages of the European Union, Mercosur, Union of South American Nations and African Union.
The language has its history linked to the Galician-Portuguese, language spoken in Middle Ages, in the territories of Galicia and Portugal. Later, this language started to be spoken in other parts of the world, and this is due to the fact that these parts were conquered and suffered colonization influence.
readalso:Portuguese tips: Portuguese language expressions
How many countries speak Portuguese?
According to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, Portuguese is spoken by nine countries, spread over four continents.
→ In America
Brazil
→ In Africa
Angola
Cape Green
Guinea Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Mozambique
Sao Tome and Principe
→ In Asia
East Timor
→ In Europe
Portugal
in other territories, the Portuguese language is also spoken, such as: Macau, in China; Daman and Diu, in the territory of the Union of India; Goa, India; Malacca, Malaysia; Flores Island, Indonesia; Batticaloa, Sri Lanka; and ABC Islands in the Caribbean.
In other countries located in the South America subcontinent, in America, the Portuguese language is also spoken by the inhabitants, as in Uruguay, Venezuela, Paraguay and Guyana. However, it is not the official language of these countries.
Lookalso:Portuguese around the world: words of Portuguese origin
What unites Portuguese-speaking countries?
Basically, all Portuguese speaking countries were colonized by Portugal, therefore suffering the influence of that country and adding its customs. The language variations reflect the encounter between Portuguese, native peoples and immigrants who inhabit each of these nations.
Flag of Portuguese speaking countries
1) Angola
2) Brazil
3) Cape Verde
4) Guinea-Bissau
5) Equatorial Guinea
6) Mozambique
7) Portugal
8) Sao Tome and Principe
9) East Timor
