How Many Countries Have French an Official Language?

Most Spoken Language

As the official language of 29 countries, French has become one of the most spoken languages in the world. Its vast reach makes it an interesting language to study and learn. Still, if you’re going to do so, you should familiarize yourself with which countries speak French as their official language so that you can choose the correct country to study it! Read on to find out how many countries speak French as their official language and get tips on where to learn French around the world!

The 24 countries where French is an official language

This is the list of French-speaking countries where French is an official language: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada (New Brunswick and Ottawa), Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros Islands, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea (Malabo), France (Corsica), Gabon (Libreville), Guinea Bissau, Haiti, La Réunion (île de la Réunion), Luxembourg, Madagascar (Antananarivo ), Mali, Mauritania. Mayotte island region of France ), Monaco, Niger countries: Senegal; Togo; French Polynesia in Oceania; Wallis and Futuna islands in Oceania; Île Saint-Pierre et Miquelon off Canada’s St. Pierre and Miquelon).

French is also an official language in many other regions where it is not an official language. Still, it is considered so within a broader context (e.g., New Caledonia or Wallis and Futuna).

Furthermore, it is spoken by significant numbers of people who live outside France—in Belgium (Wallonia), Switzerland, Andorra, Canada, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Francophonie (French-speaking world) estimated more than 274 million people worldwide in 2009. This number does not include the people living in non-Francophone African countries who have learned French as a foreign language.

The Five Autonomous Territories with a Special Status

The five autonomous territories with a special status (Fr: collectivités d’outre-mer) in France are La Réunion (département and region of France since 1946), Guadeloupe (département and region of France since 1946), Martinique (territory of France since 1946), Mayotte, and Saint Barthélemy. In addition, there are two more French overseas collectivities: Wallis and Futuna and Saint Martin. Collectivité territoriale is a legal designation applied to the four French overseas departments, which have local assemblies and budgets managed by their respective regional councils.

The term territorial collectivity means they enjoy local autonomy, though they have no legislative sovereignty. As such, these local governments can pass laws within their jurisdictions but cannot do so in areas that fall under the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of France or one of its regions (for example, tax rates). Overseas collectivities should not be confused with overseas countries, like Andorra or French Polynesia; those entities have been granted much greater powers by Paris than those typically granted to an overseas territory.

The four overseas collectivities with a special status

In addition to France’s 12 regions, there are also four overseas collectivities with special status (French: collectivités d’outre-mer, or COM): French Polynesia, a French overseas territory in Oceania; Wallis and Futuna, a French overseas territory in Oceania; Saint Barthélemy (or St. Barts), a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea; and Saint Martin (or Sint Maarten), a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The remaining territories are administered directly by France and don’t have any special status. They’re considered integral parts of France.

1) French Polynesia comprises five archipelagos in Oceania—the Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Gambier Islands—and has a total land area of 442 square miles (1,140 square kilometers). It has more than 118 islands, atolls, and reefs that stretch over 3 million square miles (7 million square kilometers). Tahiti is its most populous island, with 127,444 residents. There are other major population centers on Moorea Island (57,567 residents) and Huahine Island (26,000 residents). Papeete is its capital city. The official language is French.

2) Wallis and Futuna is an overseas territory located in Oceania between Fiji and Samoa. It’s made up of three main islands: Wallis Island, which has an area of 150 square miles (390 square kilometers); Futuna Island, which has an area of about 13 square miles (34 square kilometers); and Alofi Island, which has an area of about 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers). The main town on Wallis Island is Mata-Utu, while Uvea constitutes Futuna’s main urban center, and Alofi serves as the administrative center for both collectivities. The official language is French.

3) Saint Barthelemy, also known as St. Barts or St. Barths, is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea belonging to France that are part of its overseas region and department of Guadeloupe. The main island has an area of about 4 square miles (10 square kilometers). Gustavia is its capital city. The native language is French.

4) Saint Martin, also known as Sint Maarten, is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea belonging to France that are part of its overseas region and department of Guadeloupe. The main island has an area of about 8 square miles (21 square kilometers). Marigot serves as its capital city. The official dominant language is French.

The 11 dependent territories

The 11 countries which are dependencies of France and have French as a dominant national language: Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin (an island shared with Sint Maarten), Polynesia (comprising French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna), New Caledonia, Saint Pierre, and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Strictly speaking, in geographical terms, a dependency is a small landform that relies on another more prominent one for resources. The term dependency can be applied to overseas territories (as above), or it can be used to describe smaller pieces of the region within larger nations.

For example, England has several dependencies, including Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. These are not independent countries, but they do have their governments and laws. They also use British currency instead of having their local currency. They’re still considered part of Great Britain even though they’re not part of England itself – hence why we sometimes refer to them as Crown Dependencies rather than just Dependencies!

French-speaking countries of Europe

There are many French-speaking countries in Europe, each with its unique culture and history. These countries include France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

France

France is the largest and most populous of the French-speaking countries in Europe. It is located in the western part of the continent, and its capital city is Paris. France is known for its fashion, cuisine, art, history, and architecture. Some famous French landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. French is the official language of France, and it is spoken by around 77 million people. It is a Romance language, which means it is derived from Latin. French is a beautiful language that is known for its elegance and precision.

One of the reasons French is such a popular language is because it is relatively easy to learn. This is especially true for people who already speak another Romance language, such as Spanish or Italian. French is also the language of international diplomacy and business, so it is helpful for people who want to work in those fields.

Another reason French is so famous is because of the rich culture associated with it. France is known for its fashion, cuisine, art, and history. Learning French allows people to access this culture more intimately. French is a very versatile language. It can be spoken in various contexts, from formal to informal. It is also the language of love, so it is often used in romantic situations.

Belgium

Belgium is located northwest of Europe, and its capital city is Brussels. It is a small country, but it is densely populated. Belgium is known for its chocolate, beer, and waffles. It is also home to the European Union and NATO. French is the official language of Belgium, spoken by around 60% of the population. However, there are three other principal languages spoken in the country – Dutch, German, and English. So what’s it like to speak French in Belgium?

For starters, the French language spoken in Belgium is quite different from the French language spoken in France. Many Belgians will tell you that they don’t feel like they share a language with the French! The differences can be quite striking, from how words are pronounced to the use of different vocabulary.

Another interesting thing about French in Belgium is that it’s not just spoken by the French-speaking population. Many Dutch and German speakers in Belgium also know some French. This is because Belgian schools require students to learn at least two languages, so many people grow up bilingual or trilingual. Hire top-quality expert french translators now.

It’s worth noting that French in Belgium is not just spoken in the French-speaking regions of the country. It’s the official language of the entire country, from the capital city of Brussels to the small town of Tervuren. This means that you can expect to hear the French language is spoken everywhere you go in Belgium.

Switzerland

French is the official language of Switzerland, spoken by about 20% of the population. However, the French spoken in Switzerland is quite different from the French language spoken in France. The Swiss-French dialect has been influenced by the German and Italian spoken in Switzerland. As a result, Swiss-French has a unique pronunciation and vocabulary.

One of the most significant differences between Swiss French and French from France is pronunciation. Swiss-French has a more guttural pronunciation, with a lot of emphasis on consonants. French from France has a more nasal pronunciation, with the vowels being more critical.

Another difference between Swiss French and French from France is the vocabulary. Swiss-French has borrowed many words from German and Italian. As a result, many words are not used in French from France. For example, the Swiss-French word for “car” is “voiture,” while the French from France word is “voiture.”

The final difference between Swiss French and French France is the grammar. Swiss-French has a simpler grammar than French France. For example, the French from France word for “to have” is “avoir,” while the Swiss-French word is “avoir.” This simplification of grammar makes Swiss-French easier to learn for speakers of other languages.

French-speaking countries and cities of North America

There are many French-speaking towns and countries in North America. In this essay, we will explore three of the most notable ones: Quebec City in Canada, New Orleans in the United States, and Haiti. Each of these places has its unique culture and history, and all are worth visiting for anyone interested in French culture.

Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. It is the oldest city in Canada and was founded by the French in 1608. Quebec City is known for its beautiful architecture, its rich history, and its friendly people. The city is also a great place to learn about French Canadian culture, as it is the only North American city where French is the majority language.

New Orleans is a city in the southern United States and is the largest city in the state of Louisiana. New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718 and was later controlled by the Spanish for a time. Today, the city is known for its French Quarter, its music, its food, and its annual Mardi Gras celebration. New Orleans is a great place to experience French culture in the United States.

Haiti is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. Haiti was colonized by the French in the 1600s and later became the first black republic in the world after gaining independence in 1804. Haiti is a beautiful country with a rich culture and is worth visiting for anyone interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Caribbean.

French-speaking countries of the Caribbean

The French-speaking countries of the Caribbean are a fascinating and unique group of nations. Though they share a common language, they each have distinct cultures and histories. Haiti is the largest and most populous of the French-speaking Caribbean countries. It is also the poorest, with over 60% of the population living below the poverty line. Haiti has a long history of political instability and violence, which has only been exacerbated by the recent earthquake in 2010. Despite all of these challenges, Haiti is a country with a rich culture and a bright future.

Martinique is a small island nation located just north of Haiti. It is a French overseas department, meaning it is technically part of France. Martinique is a popular tourist destination for its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. The people of Martinique are of African, European, and Caribbean descent, making for a unique and fascinating culture.

Guadeloupe is another small island in the Lesser Antilles, just north of Martinique. Like Martinique, it is also a French overseas department. Guadeloupe is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, but it is also known for its vibrant music and dance scene. The people of Guadeloupe are of African, European, and Caribbean descent, which makes for a unique and fascinating culture.

French-speaking countries of Oceania

The French-speaking countries of Oceania are a fascinating and unique part of the world. Comprising several island nations in the South Pacific, these countries have a rich culture and history steeped in French influence. There are many exciting aspects to these countries, from their geography and ecology to their customs and traditions. Here are three interesting facts about the French-speaking countries of Oceania.

One of the most exciting things about the French-speaking countries of Oceania is their geography. Comprising several small island nations, these countries are spread out across a vast area of the Pacific Ocean. This makes for very diverse and unique geography, with each island having distinct features. From the lush rainforests of New Caledonia to the volcanic beaches of Tahiti, the French-speaking countries of Oceania offer a wide variety of landscapes and ecosystems to explore.

Another exciting thing about the French-speaking countries of Oceania is their customs and traditions. Due to the French influence on these countries, many businesses and practices have a distinctly French flavor. From how they celebrate holidays to the food they eat, the French influence can be seen in many aspects of life in these countries. This makes for a very unique and exciting culture that is well worth exploring.

The French-speaking countries of Oceania are home to some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the world. With their clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, these countries are a paradise for beach lovers. Whether you want to relax and soak up the sun or go for a swim, the French-speaking countries of Oceania offer the perfect setting for an ideal beach vacation.

Other Countries With Significant French Speakers

French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 220 million speakers. While the majority of French speakers live in France, there are also significant numbers of speakers in other countries.

Here are three of the most notable countries with influential French speakers—one country with a substantial number of French speakers is Canada. Canada has the second-highest number of French speakers worldwide, with over 7 million people speaking the language. French is one of Canada’s official languages and is spoken by around 21% of the population.

In Asia, French Indochina, which encompasses modern-day Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, has a large French-speaking population. In Cambodia and Laos, it is one of the administrative languages. French is primarily spoken in Israel, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates in Western Asia.

The Lebanese constitution, which names Arabic as the country’s official language, specifies how French should be used. It is the second most widely used language in the country, and it may be found on road signs, license plates, pound banknotes, and government buildings. French is primarily spoken in the UAE by French immigrants and others with ties to Francophone nations.