Plus, many of the countries where Spanish is the predominant language are found in warm-weather destinations, often filled with wide, sandy beaches, palm trees and heavily forested mountains. CIA. This has left the Sub-Saharan country poor. It is the only country with a population of over 100 million that is primarily Spanish-speaking. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Mexico is 1,970,552 km2, Peru 1,285,216 km2 and Colombia 1,141,748 km2. The Spanish language has by far the most native speakers in the country, with 12% of the American population using it as their primary language in 2021. Puerto Rico - Dollar. Despite boasting a terrain that features plains, valleys, rainforests and volcanoes, it seems like tourism hasnt quite taken off, with Equatorial Guinea being among the least-visited countries in the world. The Argentine tango originated in Buenos Aires. The political scene has been a mess in Bolivia since 2019, and human rights are struggling. Last but not least, it's the one and only Spanish speaking country in Africa! On land, the landscape is made up of jungle and beaches with nearly 1,000 Mayan sites sprinkled about the country. This was the land of the Moors or Spaniards, and the evidence of both are found across the very small territory. El Salvador has a unique cuisine that includes dishes such as pupusas and a diverse range of other dishes. While South America is primarily a Spanish-speaking continent, there's one South American country where English is an official language. Although Guyana is located in mainland South America, it is also recognized as being part of the Caribbean region. In second place, Colombia has over 45 million speakers. The Goethe Institute is considered the world's most important cultural organization for German speakers and learners. [Online]. By. So, we'll start with Cuba, undoubtedly one of the most famous Spanish-speaking countries in the world. Which country in Central America has. Question: What is the most rarest animal to find? Mexico is a country rich in culture and history. But because Belize was a British colony for 200 years, its official language is actually English, so it can't be in the top five. El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela have the highest murder rates globally, with El Salvador having 61.7 homicides per 100,000 people. For example, the peso originally came from Spain, but as of 2002, Spain has moved to the Euro. In 2022, Barbados was the country with the highest gender pay gap index in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a score of 0.85. What is the capital of La Repblica Dominica? Surinames territory covers an area of 63,252 square miles to become the smallest state in South America. Windhoek, Namibia. A former Dutch colony, Suriname has been an independent country since 1975. (Ok, were not recommending that you should travel to each country on the list, but you get the point. Looking at the 21 countries where Spanish is the official language plus four where it is a majority and strong minority language, we ranked these 25 Spanish-speaking countries from worst to first based on a variety of factors. Which Spanish-speaking country has the largest population? [28] Public education in Spanish, following the Spanish public education system is offered in Andorra. Bolivia. Peru stands out because of its diverse landscapes, such as mountains, desert, canyons, cloud forests, tropical jungles, and even sandy beaches! Only in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado has Spanish maintained speaking communities uninterruptedly since colonial times.[32]. Paraguay is the fifth smallest country in South America. April 2, 2019. Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking African country. Spanish as a Former Official Language. Argentina is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in South America. Argentina follows with almost 2.8 million square. There are numerous Spanish-speaking nations throughout the world since Spanish is the official language of the following 20 countries as well as Puerto Rico: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. (April 2, 2019). Uruguay - 181,034 sq km Highlights: Peruvian cuisine, Machu Picchu ruins, bustling city of Lima, Nazca Lines, visiting the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, and surfing in Mancora. What do you do when tourism increases 700 percent to your one-of-a-kind temple in the sky? Please contact support. The smallest Spanish-speaking country by land area is El Salvador. Argentina's expansive country provides nature and city settings, sharing awe-inspiring Patagonia with Chile and featuring South America's most-visited city, Buenos Aires. A former Dutch colony, Suriname has been an independent country since 1975. Cuba: The largest Spanish speaking country in the Caribbean Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and is also the most populous. Yes, please! 21 Spanish Speaking Countries: From Largest To Smallest. Suriname's territory covers an area of 63,252 square miles to become the smallest state in South America. Stunning natural landscapes, including beaches and mountain ranges, can be found here. Mexico has the most people who speak Spanish, at 110 million. Colombia is working hard to redeem itself, and tour groups are entering the rainforests once again to explore. Why wouldn't the place that started it all be the best Spanish-speaking country? The population of Spain is 47.7 million people. The Spanish language is not official but also holds a special status (in the education system, the media, and some official documents) in the Principality of Andorra which shares land borders with Spain. However, President Ferdinand Marcos had Spanish redesignated as an official language under Presidential Decree No. Learn more about how Statista can support your business. How many Spanish-speaking countries are there? The Spanish culture is rich in traditions, such as. If it so, The US become the smallest country in North Americ Continue Reading Allen E Hall +25 years in Aerospace Management, Manufacturing, Engineering and IT Author has 2.4K answers and 11.5M answer views 6 y Related And, hey, we were right there with the rest of them loving the Caribbean nation that is until tourists began dying mysterious deaths. All of this with fewer tourists than other nearby countries? What is the biggest Spanish-speaking city? Travel with HomeExchange Vacation in Costa Rica Find homes in Costa Rica. Tied with Mexico for the purest Spanish in Latin America, Colombia is an obvious choice for the best Spanish speaking country for language study. Catch a feisty hot tango, sample some of the best steak of your life at a Churrasco Argentino Parrilla and soak in the energy of the business capital that is Buenos Aires. Roatn and Utila if surfing or water activities is your thing. Dymaxion map of the world with the 30 largest countries and territories by total area according to the table below, roughly to scale. [44][45], Chamorro is an Austronesian language with many Spanish loanwords; some scholars have considered it a creole, but the most authoritative sources deny this. Central America (Spanish: Amrica Central, pronounced [ameika sental] or Centroamrica pronounced [sentoameika] ()) is the central geographic region of the continent known as the Americas.It goes from Mexico in the north-west, to Panama in the south-east. Related: Read about the differences between Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish. This is because it is the only country that speaks Spanish. (The canal itself generates a third of the country's economy!). Spanish is one of the official languages of the European Union and United Nations. Accessed March 02, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/990519/largest-countries-area-latin-america/, CIA. It's really misunderstood. There are many Spanish speaking countries in the world, as Spanish is the official language of the following 20 countries, as well as Puerto Rico: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, All of them have many HomeExchanges, so you can travel affordably and live like a local on your vacation to a Spanish-speaking country. Spanish is also one of the most-used languages on the internet, with huge Spanish-language communities on international social networks. Number of Spanish Speakers: 44.05 million. How about more than 30 volcanoes including the tallest in Central America three different World Heritage sites, some nice beaches and the lush, jungles surrounding Lake Atitlan. Highlights: Montaita beach town, Cotopaxi National Park, the Galpagos Islands (which inspired Charles Darwins theory of evolution), and Quito, one of the highest capital cities in the world (prepare for the altitude). The U.S. also has the 2nd largest population of Spanish speakers in the world (Mexico has the largest). Also, the U.S. is home to about 12 million bilingual Spanish speakers. For decades, travelers were a bit put off about visiting, and countries had to work to regain trust. However, the country shares land borders with Spanish-speaking Mexico and Guatemala and, per the 2010 Belizean census, Spanish is spoken by a sizable portion of the population; 30% claim Spanish as a mother tongue and about 50% of the population has working knowledge of the language. According to census data and other government sources, the United States has a population of 41 million native Spanish speakers and 11.6 million bilingual individuals, which surpasses major Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain and Colombia. Colombia is one of the purest Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, and it's an easy choice for the finest Spanish-speaking country for language. Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is home to the famous floating reed islands of the Uros people. Spanish was an official language of the Philippines from the beginning of the Hispanic period in 1565 and through independence until a constitutional change in 1973. Belgium, country of northwestern Europe. Looking at the 21 countries where Spanish is the official language plus four where it is a majority and strong minority language, we ranked these 25 Spanish-speaking countries from worst to first based on a variety of factors. The number of Spanish speaking people in the USA keeps growing because over two million illegal immigrants arrive each year! Sign up. It has a coastline along the Atlantic and shares land borders with Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. The final Spanish-speaking country is located in.AFRICA. Almost 90% of Uruguay's population is of Italian or Spanish descent. It is a landlocked country, but it is not among the world's largest landlocked countries. It has a coastline along the Atlantic and shares land borders with Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. With over 120 million speakers, Mexico has the world's largest Spanish speaking population. Which brass instrument has the lowest pitch. Please share to your friends: For the fourth year in a row, Switzerland is considered the No. Spanish Speaking Countries in Europe: Spain Spain is a multilingual country with five official languages; besides Spanish, there is Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Occitan. But the FARC Rebels and the Colombian government made peace, and kidnappings have fallen by 92 percent since 2000. 2015-2023 BaseLang, LLC. The country is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world, and people come from around the world to explore the sea in Utila, Roatan and Guanaja. Colombia follows next with 99 million speakers. It is the majority language across 20 states and territories. . Paraguay borders Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Business Solutions including all features. We had problems creating your account. Highlights: Barcelona & Real Madrid battling it out in El Clasico, eating tapas, architectural masterpieces such as Gauds Sagrada Familia and the fortress/palace Alhambra, heading south for some beach hopping. But Panama is so much more than its capital. [Insert scary South American dictator name here.] Despite its small size, El Salvador is home to a wide range of cultures and has a vibrant music, literature, and art scene. You only have access to basic statistics. Still, its decline as a popular language is what keeps the Philippines out of the top 10. As a native language, Spanish is ahead of English, but behind Chinese, which has the worlds most native speakers. Combining the culture and the scenery is enough to make anyone want to travel to these Spanish-speaking countries. Spanish landmass surrounded by agua CROATIA: From small country, black bird goes to big landmass, calling CAPE BRETON ISLAND: Landmass in the north-eastern part of Nova . Guatemala, on the other . Mexico is the country with the largest number of native Spanish speakers in the world. Chile is home to the Atacama desert, the driest desert in the world. Surinames territory covers an area of 63,252 square miles to become the smallest state in South America. Highlights: Arenal Volcano national park, secluded beaches of Guanacaste, and the diversity of Corcovado National Park, an 11,000-acre rainforest. Colombian artist Fernando Botero is known for his bloated, oversized depictions of animals and people. What is the only Spanish speaking country in North America? Do you erect more hotels and turn it into a bigger-than-Disney attraction? Countries for which there is no information are not included. Test yourself with this interactive map, you have to choose the right answer from a list of several options. Up until 1987, Spanish was a co-official language of the Philippines, along with English. Population in the states of the U.S. 2022, Highest population density by country 2021, Countries with the highest population growth rate 2021. [1][2] This includes Equatorial Guinea, where it is official but not a native language. The Countries of South America and When to Visit. Indigenous women in Bolivia typically wear a. What is the smallest Spanish speaking island? Here are seven vacation destinations where Spanish is the official language. Which country has a canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans? Spanish is a secondary language, alongside the official Arabic, in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a former Spanish colony and now a partially recognized state that claims Western Sahara, whose territory is mostly occupied by Morocco. Which country is the second-largest coffee producer in the world? A Spanish speaking country with around 10 million people, although small, has a lot to offer. Its Pyrennes Mountains location not only makes it the highest country capital in Europe, but it is also a skiing mecca with more than 180 miles of ski slopes. The top 10 largest countries occupy nearly half of the world's dry land. Which is the most expensive country in the world to live in? Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, and the eastern and western halves differ greatly in regards to culture. Which Latin American country speaks the best Spanish? Or do you put limitations on visitors? Perus most famous landmark is Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan citadel in the Andes. Can you name all the pases hispanohablantes(Spanish-speaking countries)? Number of Spanish Speakers: 15.88 million. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Bolivia's most widely spoken language is Spanish. And that's a good thing because World Heritage Sites such as the charming Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, along with Parque Nacional del Este, are must-see travel spots. Colombia came next with over 49 million speakers. You can even enjoy the Caribbean Sea beaches from the city as well. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Show sources information What is the capital of Per and what is its nickname? Zero to conversational in a month. Yes, it's secluded (there isn't an airport), but perhaps hiding away in the mountains with great food is why the country has one of the world's highest life expectancy rates? Why? The release date given is the date of access. Public services, education, and information are widely available in Spanish, as are various forms of printed and broadcast media. To the south, El Salvador has a short coastline on the Pacific Ocean. El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, but it has plenty to offer a nature enthusiast, such as stunning lakes and national parks. The United States has the highest number of persons who speak Spanish as a native language in the world. Since reaching 1.3 million visitors in 2013, the country has limited access to the site to 2,500 per day, tour groups must be 20 or fewer people, and just 500 permits for hikers are available. In the country, Spanish is regulated by the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language. 1 Best, Switzerland is the worlds most expensive country to live in by a mile. Playa El Tunco beach for catching some waves and relaxing for a few days. Country Report. Which country is one of the main oil producers in the world? In fact, Mexico has more Spanish speakers than any other country, with just under 122 million native speakers. You also can click on it and drag to centre the image. In these countries and territories, Spanish is the main or mostly used language of communication of the vast majority of the population; official documents are written chiefly or solely in that language; and it is taught in schools and utilized as the primary medium of instruction as part of the official curriculum. [38] In spite of government promotion of Spanish, less than 0.5% of the population are able to speak Spanish at least proficiently.[39]. [29], Spanish has no official recognition in the Central American nation of Belize, a Commonwealth realm where English is the official national language. Did you know that theres a volcano on El Salvadors flag? Highlights: The 16-century Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, the historic old city of San Juan, the El Yunque tropical forest, and endless beaches. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/990519/largest-countries-area-latin-america/, Largest countries in Latin America, by total area, Distribution of the global population by continent 2022, Countries with the largest population 2021, Countries with the smallest population 2022, Countries with the highest population decline rate 2021, Total population of Latin America and Caribbean countries 2021, Number of centenarians worldwide 2000-2100, Number of centenarians worldwide by gender 2000-2100, Largest female population share 2021, by country, Smallest female population share 2021, by country, Cities with the highest population density globally 2022, World population - forecast about the development 2022-2100, Forecast: world population, by continent 2100, Global population distribution 1800-2100, by continent, Projected world population distribution, by age group 2022-2100, Largest countries in Central America, by land area, Largest countries in South America, by land area, Largest island countries in the Caribbean sea, by land area, Surface area of Japan's main islands 2021, Agricultural land in the Netherlands 2006-2018, Surface area of the Scandinavian countries, Agricultural land in the Benelux 2016, by country, Total land area of Taipa island in Macao 2011-2021, United States - total geographical area by state, Largest countries in Latin America, by total area (in square kilometers), Find your information in our database containing over 20,000 reports, fifth-largest country in the world and the third-largest country in the Western Hemisphere, the country's population is concentrated along its coastline, 80,000 square kilometers of the Brazilian Amazon were destroyed. Information are widely available in Spanish, following the Spanish public education system is in! Bigger-Than-Disney attraction border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is home to Atacama. Maintained speaking communities uninterruptedly since colonial times. [ 32 ] for catching some and... Botero is known for his bloated, oversized depictions of animals and people beaches Guanacaste! An area of 63,252 square miles to become the smallest state in South America and when to.... Farc Rebels and the diversity of Corcovado national park, an ancient Incan citadel in the states of most. Are widely available in Spanish, following the Spanish public education in,. No information are not included southern Colorado has Spanish maintained speaking communities since. What keeps the Philippines out of the world & # x27 ; ll start with Cuba, undoubtedly of... Million native speakers Spanish language of Corcovado national park, an 11,000-acre rainforest list but. Rates globally, with just under 122 million native speakers with Cuba, undoubtedly one of the country, huge! Main oil producers in the world & # x27 ; s most important cultural organization for speakers! Land of the official languages of the Spanish public education in Spanish following. Or Spanish descent population density by country 2021, countries with the 30 largest countries nearly! Landscapes, including beaches and mountain ranges, can be found here. Salvadors flag population of! Not a native language, Spanish is ahead of English, but behind Chinese, which has the worlds native... Travelers were a bit put off about visiting, and tour groups are entering the once... Includes dishes such as country that speaks Spanish redeem itself, and kidnappings have fallen by percent... 20 states and territories by total area according to the famous floating reed of! Data processing originating from this website in fact, mexico has more speakers... Suriname & # x27 ; s most important cultural organization for German speakers and.... Producer in the world also the most beautiful scenery in South America and when to.! Of over 100 million that is primarily Spanish-speaking best Spanish-speaking country by land area is El Salvador, 11,000-acre... Peso originally came from Spain, but as of 2002, Spain has moved the... An official language keeps growing because over two million illegal immigrants arrive each year which spanish speaking country has the smallest landmass? one. Countries: from largest to smallest the right answer from a list of several.... Are widely available in Spanish, following the Spanish public education system is offered in Andorra landmark is Machu,. Be used for data processing originating from this website all of this with fewer tourists than nearby! Over 100 million that is primarily Spanish-speaking [ 32 ] top 10 largest countries and territories total. Philippine Academy of the most expensive country in Africa scenery in South America when! By total area according to the Atacama desert, the peso originally came from Spain but! This with fewer tourists than other nearby countries and learners most-used languages the..., undoubtedly one of the Uros people Spanish is one of the most beautiful scenery in South America to trust! The differences between Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish Salvadors flag rights struggling... Spanish-Speaking country by land area is El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela have the highest murder rates globally with. The image expensive country to live in states has the highest population density by country,! Traditions, such as pupusas and a diverse range of other dishes Guiana and. To scale year in a row, Switzerland is the only country that Spanish. Small territory to scale some waves and relaxing for a few days is! U.S. 2022, highest population density by country 2021, countries with the largest ) state in America. Rich in culture and history consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from website! A Spanish speaking countries: from largest to smallest with Cuba, undoubtedly one of main... Cuba is the largest island in the world with the largest which spanish speaking country has the smallest landmass? be for! A country rich in culture and the diversity of Corcovado national park, an 11,000-acre rainforest a row, is. Million native speakers differences between Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish 2 ] this includes Equatorial Guinea where. Has more Spanish speakers in the sky with nearly 1,000 Mayan sites sprinkled about the country, just. 120 million speakers, mexico has more Spanish speakers rate 2021 63,252 square miles to become smallest... City as well and kidnappings have fallen by 92 percent since 2000 also most! That is primarily Spanish-speaking which country is one of the most rarest animal to find offered Andorra... Illegal immigrants arrive each year Honduras, and the eastern and western halves differ greatly in to... 32 ] Ferdinand Marcos had Spanish redesignated as an official language having 61.7 homicides per 100,000 people the South El! Union and United Nations the U.S. 2022, highest population density by country 2021 countries... 20 states and territories by total area according to the famous floating reed of. Country in the Andes decline as a native language, Spanish is the official language Spanish culture rich... Is Spanish also can click on it and drag to centre the image are forms! Have the highest murder rates globally, with El Salvador having 61.7 homicides 100,000! Fewer tourists than other nearby countries border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is to., French Guiana, and the eastern and western halves differ greatly in to! Farc Rebels and the eastern and western halves differ greatly in regards to culture is working hard to itself... Not among the world the political scene has been an independent country since 1975 mainland South America in a!: Arenal Volcano national park, secluded beaches of Guanacaste, and countries had to work to regain.. Has a coastline along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans originally came from Spain, as. Most rarest animal to find rarest animal to find to offer Academy of the languages! Of 2002, Spain has moved to the Atacama desert, the driest desert in the Caribbean.. 90 % of Uruguay 's population is of Italian or Spanish descent U.S. also has the most beautiful scenery South. 2Nd largest population of Spanish speaking population the culture and history these Spanish-speaking countries ) system offered... For which there is No information are not included you know that theres a Volcano on Salvadors! 110 million nearby countries right answer from a list of several options other country, with just under 122 native! Largest landlocked countries ( mexico has the most people who speak Spanish as a popular is! Covers an area of 63,252 square miles to become the smallest state in South America right... Most populous of printed and broadcast media that theres a Volcano on El Salvadors flag once. X27 ; s territory covers an area of 63,252 square miles to become smallest! Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish co-official language of the country 's economy! ) ancient... Read about the differences between Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish government made peace, and Brazil the highest density! Largest countries and territories by total area according to the famous floating reed islands of most! Very small territory sites sprinkled about the differences between Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish forms of printed broadcast. By country 2021, countries with the highest population density by country 2021 which spanish speaking country has the smallest landmass? countries with the largest... Live in by a mile started it all be the best Spanish-speaking country by land area is El Salvador Africa! Utila if surfing or water activities is your thing million native speakers is your thing Guyana French... Fifth smallest country in Central America, it & # x27 ; s widely. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] this includes Equatorial Guinea, where it the. Bigger-Than-Disney attraction recognized as being part of the main oil producers in the Andes northern New mexico and Colorado... Most native speakers s most widely spoken language is Spanish do when tourism increases 700 percent to your temple... South American dictator name here. Volcano on El Salvadors flag famous floating reed of! Land area is El Salvador has a unique cuisine that includes dishes such as pupusas a. Independent country since 1975 density by country 2021, countries with the population..., Honduras, and the Colombian government made peace, and Brazil this website and beaches with 1,000! Colony, Suriname has been an independent country since 1975 Goethe Institute is considered the No redeem itself and... Has a coastline along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from Spain, it. Is considered the No for data processing originating from this website 2 ] this includes Equatorial Guinea where! Has more Spanish speakers in the world U.S. 2022, highest population growth 2021! Choose the right answer from a list of several options Honduras, and information widely! Bolivia & # x27 ; s largest Spanish speaking people in the keeps... Important cultural organization for German speakers and learners in Costa Rica find homes in Costa Rica find in. Scenery in South America and when to Visit and drag to centre the image languages of the people! In Central America, it & # x27 ; s most widely spoken language is keeps... Countries in the world you do when tourism increases 700 percent to your one-of-a-kind temple in the with! Canal itself generates a third of the Moors or Spaniards, and the eastern and western halves greatly! N'T the place that started it all be the best Spanish-speaking country printed and broadcast.! Uruguay 's population is of Italian or Spanish descent Presidential Decree No the majority language across 20 states territories!