| − | Spanish is a Romance language originally from the northern regions of [[Spain]]. Like all modern descendants of Latin, it is chiefly a derivative of Vulgar Latin , the dialect of [[Latin]] spoken by the soldiers and provincial officials of the [[Roman Empire]], with some influence from regional languages of its original area. Spanish also draws heavy influence from [[Arabic]], due to the [[Moorish]] occupation of Spain lasting from 711 to 1492. Today, the majority of its speakers live outside of Spain, with large numbers in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. | + | Spanish is a Romance language originally from the northern regions of what is now [[Spain]]. Like all modern descendants of Latin, it is chiefly a derivative of Vulgar Latin , the dialect of [[Latin]] spoken by the soldiers and provincial officials of the [[Roman Empire]], with some influence from regional languages of its original area. Spanish also draws heavy influence from [[Arabic]], due to the [[Moorish]] [[Umayyad|occupation]] of Spain lasting from 711 to 1492. Today, the majority of its speakers live outside of Spain, with large numbers in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. |