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Today, the majority of its speakers live outside of Spain, with large numbers in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. It is one of the most-spoken languages in the [[world]]. It is spoken as a first language by about 350,000,000 people, or by 417,000,000 if non-native speakers are included. The Spanish language is the second-most common language in the [[United States]], as well as the second-most natively spoken language in the world, after [[Mandarin Chinese]].

Today, the majority of its speakers live outside of Spain, with large numbers in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. It is one of the most-spoken languages in the [[world]]. It is spoken as a first language by about 350,000,000 people, or by 417,000,000 if non-native speakers are included. The Spanish language is the second-most common language in the [[United States]], as well as the second-most natively spoken language in the world, after [[Mandarin Chinese]].

It is more difficult for native Spanish speakers to learn English than it is for native English speakers to learn Spanish, due to the complexity and inconsistency of English [[grammar]] and pronunciation compared to Spanish grammar.

It is more difficult for native Spanish speakers to learn English than it is for native English speakers to learn Spanish, due to the complexity and inconsistency of English [[grammar]] and pronunciation compared to Spanish.

==Distribution==

==Distribution==

*[[Latin America]] (with the exceptions of [[Portuguese]]-speaking [[Brazil]], [[French]]-speaking [[French Guiana]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]]-speaking [[Suriname]], and [[English]]-speaking [[Guyana]])

*[[Latin America]] (with the exceptions of [[Portuguese]]-speaking [[Brazil]], [[French]]-speaking [[French Guiana]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]]-speaking [[Suriname]], and [[English]]-speaking [[Guyana]])

*[[Hispanic]] populations in the [[United States]]

*[[Hispanic]] populations in the [[United States]]

*former Spanish colonies in [[Africa]]

*former Spanish colonies in [[Africa]], eg Equatorial Guinea

*a distinct dialect is spoken in the [[Philippines]]

*a distinct dialect is spoken in the [[Philippines]]

[[Category:Romance languages]]

[[Category:Romance languages]]