Which Are The Countries Speaking French In The World
French is a European language that expanded around the world during the French dynasty
. French colonization created many countries that speak French and even declare it as their official language. The primary region of French is known as Pays d'Ol or "the country of Ol." This area is made up of the northwestern tip of Switzerland (canton of Jura), the Channel Islands, southern Belgium (Wallonia) and northern France; with the exception of regions where German, Dutch and Breton are spoken. The neighboring languages are composed of the Occitan to the south; German to the northeast, Franco-Provencal to the southeast, Dutch to the north and Breton to the west.Countries that Speak French in Europe
The only official language of France is French while other countries also consider French as an official language among others. These countries include; Belgium - particularly in the regions of Wallonia Switzerland and other neighboring countries
40% of over 4 millions Belgians speak French as their first language and is deemed as the official language of most of Wallonia. Brussels is the capital of Belgium in which both the French and Dutch are considered official languages; although the majority speaks French in the city proper of Brussels.
Approximately 1.75 million people in Switzerland speak French and consider it as their official language. In addition, French is also the official language of the principality of Monaco; Luxembourg (aside from German and Luxembourgish) as well as in Val d'Aoste, Italy (apart from Italian).
Countries that Speak French in the Americas
France lost many of its American colonies due to the 1763 Treaty of Paris. Fortunately, it was able to sustain some possessions in America while maintaining some French-speaking communities especially in some parts of Canada.
With regards to the overseas departments and territories of France, French is still considered as the official language. These territories include; St. Martin Saint-Pierre Miquelon Saint Barthelemy Martinique Guadeloupe French Guiana Haiti is another French colony that still uses French as one of its official languages.
At a federal level, French is at par with the English language in Canada. Approximately 25% of Canadians speak French as the official French language. Most of these native speaking Canadians live in the eastern portion of the country mostly in Quebec and in New Brunswick. Moreover, Dominica and the U.S. state of Louisiana uses French as an administrative language.
Countries that Speak French in Africa
Half of the western part of the African nations declares French as its official language except Nigeria. This is largely due to the Belgian and French colonization in which the French language is still used as a national and international communication although majority of the population does not speak it as their primary language.
Other African countries that uses French as an official language includes; Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Comoros Congo (Brazzaville) Cte d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Gabon Guinea Madagascar Mali Mauritius Niger Rwanda Senegal Seychelles Togo with the exception of Equatorial Guinea
Furthermore, French is commonly understood in countries like Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia while it is deemed as an administrative language in Mauritania.
Countries that Speak French in Other Parts of the Globe
French is used as an administrative language in countries such as Laos and is being informally spoken in certain parts of Vietnam and Cambodia.
Other countries that understand the French language include; Lebanon Syria As well as some parts of India namely; Yanam Mah Karikal (which were once a French trading post) Puducherry is another former French trading post which uses French as an official language apart from Tamil.
The Mayotte and Runion which are located in the Indian Ocean does use French as the official language. The Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu and some parts of French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuana and New Caladonia.
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