About This Quiz
The United Nations has identified six official languages: one of them is English, and another is Spanish. There are also other languages commonly spoken around the world. In fact there are over 6,500 languages, but English and Spanish remain globally important.
And why is that? First, there's the history of colonization. Most modern-day cultural formations were borne out of violent colonial takeover. Nations including England and Spain were staunch believers in world takeover and settlement. They took over the Americas and brought their languages with them. Many indigenous people were forced to learn Spanish. The language of the colonizers has carried over until today.
We hear Spanish around the world, and in some parts where you least expect it, too. Do you know which country in Africa speaks Spanish? Can you name all of the Caribbean Islands where Spanish is heard?
Take a good guess and see if you can name these countries that speak Spanish, whether officially or unofficially. Buena suerte!
This is Spain. It's easy to detect, now, is it? It's the 5th largest country in Europe.
Mexico is, undoubtedly, a Spanish-speaking country. But they also have their own sets of localized words, called slang.
As of 2012, a majority of the people who live in Cuba self-identify as white and of Spanish descent. It's the largest Caribbean island.
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The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898. It translates to "rich port" for its abundance of gold.
The capital of Chile is Santiago. While Spanish is the most spoken language in Chile, there are many native languages of Chile, including Mapudungun and Quechua.
The island of Hispaniola include Haiti and the Dominican Republic. For this reason, you'll hear both Spanish and Creole on the island.
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Colombia has many indigenous languages in addition to being a Spanish-speaking country. It is also the only South American country that has coasts on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
This landlocked South American country has the highest large city in the world at 13,615 ft and 1,184,942 people. The city is perfectly name El Alto, or "The Heights."
Spanish is the official language of Venezuela. However, they also recognize around 26 other languages spoken in various regions.
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Guatemala's capital is called Guatemala City. It is known as the "Country of Eternal Spring" because of its mild climate and beautiful landscape.
The Panama canal makes up one-third of the economy of this Central American country. It has an abundance of fish and beautiful beaches.
Argentina was once ruled by Juan Perón followed by his wife Isabel Perón. The second largest South American country is now served by president Mauricio Macri.
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El Salvador is the smallest Central American country. Only a few of the Pipil indigenous people speak the Nahuatl language.
The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. Say that ten times fast! The economy is largely made up of exports like coffee and bananas.
Peru is known for its world wonder, Machu Picchu. It was the lost city of the Incas, the indigenous people of Peru, for hundreds of years.
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Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. Its best known for its landscapes of volcanoes and lakes.
Ecuador is a mega-diverse country, home to both the Amazon jungle, tall mountains and the Galapagos Islands. The importance of conservation was emphasized by the country's move in 2008 to officially give nature constitutional rights.
Costa Rica is a republic located in Central America with over 800 miles of coastline. It is one of five Blue Zones in the world, which means many Coasta Ricans live to be 100+ years old.
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Uruguay is in South America and has one of the highest literacy rates in the world - due to its free education. It is also known for tango, sheep and fútbol.
Paraguay's capital is Asuncion. Its a lovely country and city.
Equatorial Guinea is found in Central Africa along the Western coast. The country is known for being one of the richest in Africa, yet many of its residents are living in poverty.
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Even though Brazil predominantly speaks Portuguese, other languages are spoken such as Spanish, German, Tupi, and Macro-Jê. Brazil's Carnival is known around the world as a great party, full of Samba music and dance.
Morocco is an Arabic-speaking country, but due to its history, there are French and Spanish speakers there, too. The influences of Moorish architecture can be seen in Spain and around the world.
There are Spanish, French, and Creole speakers in the Virgin Islands - though the official language is English. There are four islands that make up this Caribbean territory.
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South Sudan's official language is English. But it has more than 50 recognized languages, including Spanish.
For 400 years, the Philippines once under Spanish rule, and many in the Philippines continue to struggle against imperialism. A province there even formed a creole form of Spanish called Chavacano.
Curaçao is located 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The inhabitants also speak Dutch, Papiamento and English.
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Andorra is in the Iberian Peninsula. Catalan, French, Castilian Spanish, and Portuguese are all spoken here.
Gibraltar is near the Iberian Peninsula, so it has Spanish-speaking people, but also includes English, Italian and Portuguese speakers.
Belize used to be known as the British Honduras. That's why it has Spanish-speaking residents, too. English and Creole are spoken here, too!
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Aruba is a Caribbean nation with more than 90 nationalities. People here speak Papiamento, Spanish, Dutch and English.
Trinidad and Tobago has a small Spanish-speaking population along with English, Caribbean, Hindustani and Trinidadian Creole French. Its known as the "happiest country in the Caribbean".
Due to migration, Canada also has some Spanish-speaking residents in addition to English and French. They came from all over!
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In the United Kingdom, you can hear a lot of other languages aside from English. Spanish is, of course, present there as well.