Learn About the 21 Countries That Speak Spanish

Have you been searching for information about countries that speak Spanish? Search no more! 

Spanish is the official language in 20 countries, plus Puerto Rico (which is a US territory). This is your exhaustive guide to the key characteristics of each of these countries, including demographic and economic statistics and a summary of their cultural traditions. 

¡Vamos!

The 21 Countries that Speak Spanish

You’ll find specific information like maps, capitals, nationalities, flags, population, and GDP exports for each country, as well as a cultural section that spotlights unique holidays and traditions). The countries appear in alphabetical order. Off we go!

1. Argentina

Map and location:

rgentina is located in South America. It borders Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Capital: Buenos Aires

Regions: 23 provinces

Nationality: argentino/a

National Anthem: Lyrics by Vicente López y Planes (1812), music by Blas Parera (1813). Listen to it on YouTube.

Flag:

Population: 41.7 million

Official currency: Argentine Peso

GDP (2018): $520 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: soybean meal ($9.2B), corn ($4.44B), delivery trucks ($3.94B), soybean oil ($2.95B), and wheat ($2.49B). 

Cultural Spotlight

Argentine traditions include the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, sharing a maté with friends, and the tango (music and dance), which originated in Argentina!

2. Bolivia

Map and location:

Bolivia is located in South America. It borders Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.

Capital: Sucre 

Regions: Bolivia’s territory is divided into three main zones: Altiplano, Valles y Yungas, and Llanos y Amazonía 

Nationality: boliviano/a or sucreño/a 

National Anthem: lyrics by José Ignacio de Sanjinés, composed by Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 10.4 million (2013)

Official currency: Boliviano (BOB)

GDP (2018): $40.3 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: petroleum gas ($3.04B), zinc ore ($1.61B), gold ($1.17B), soybean meal ($531M), and precious metal ore ($526M),

Cultural Spotlight

In Bolivia, the Fun-filled Festival, Alasitas festival, and Fiesta de la Cruz are three fiestas that stand out.

3. Chile

Map and location: 

Located in South America, Chile borders Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru . 

Capital: Santiago 

Regions: 16 regions divided into 56 provinces

Nationality: chileno/a 

National Anthem: Lyrics by Eusebio Lillo (1819), music by Ramón Carnices (1820). Listen to it on Youtube. 

Flag:

Population: 18.95 million (2019)

Official currency: Chilean Peso 

GDP (2018): $298 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: copper ore ($18.6B), refined copper ($15.5B), sulfate chemical woodpulp ($3.71B), fish fillets ($2.78B), and raw copper ($2.16B) 

Cultural Spotlight

Among the many countries that speak Spanish, Chile has the Tapati Festival, Chilean Independence Day, and the Navy Day.

4. Colombia

Map and location: 

Located in South America, Colombia borders Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. 

Capital: Bogotá 

Regions: 32 departments and 1 capital district 

Nationality: colombiano/a

National Anthem: Lyrics by Rafael Núñez (188), composed by Oreste Sindici. Listen to it on Youtube. 

Flag: 

Population: 50.4 million (2019)

Official currency: Colombian Peso 

GDP (2018): $331 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: crude petroleum ($13.8B), coal briquettes ($7.45B), refined petroleum ($2.96B), coffee ($2.35B), and cut flowers ($1.46B) 

Cultural Spotlight

Colombia celebrates festive days such as The Pot Gathering, Carnaval de Barranquilla, and Carnaval del Diablo. The Carnival in Barranquilla is one of the most popular ones in countries that speak Spanish!

5. Costa Rica

Map and location: 

Located in Central America, Costa Rica borders Nicaragua and Panama. 

Capital: San José 

Regions: 7 provinces 

Nationality: costarricense 

National Anthem: lyrics by José María Zeledón Brenes (1900), music by Manuel María Gutiérrez. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 5.408 million (2019) 

Official currency: Colón 

GDP (2018): $60.1 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: medical instruments ($2.69B), bananas ($1.22B), tropical fruits ($1.18B), orthopedic appliances ($845M), and other edible preparations ($427M). 

Cultural Spotlight

Special events in Costa Rica include The Lantern Parade, Saint Days of Santa Cruz, and Fiestas de Palmares, a super popular music festival in countries that speak Spanish!

6. Cuba

Map and location:

Cuba is an island near the Bahamas, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, United States, and the Cayman Islands.

Capital: Havana 

Regions: 15 provinces 

Nationality: cubano/a

National anthem: Lyrics by Perucho Figueredo. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 11.33 million (2019)

Official currency: Cuban Peso 

GDP (2018): $100 billion (in current US$)

Main exports: rolled tobacco ($277M), raw sugar ($211M), nickel mattes ($173M), hard liquor ($116M), and crustaceans ($81.8M)

Cultural Spotlight

Cuba’s traditions and holidays include Cuban superstitions and Victory Day, an incredible day for one of the countries that speak Spanish! 

7. Dominican Republic

Map and location: 

The Dominican Republic shares an island with Haiti. 

Capital: Santo Domingo

Regions: 29 provinces and 1 national district 

Nationality: dominicano/a 

National Anthem: composed by José Reyes, lyrics by Emilio Prud’Homme, and music by José Rufino Reyes y Siancas (1882). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 10.74 million (2019)

Official currency: Dominican Peso 

GDP (2018): $85.6 billion (current US$)

Main exports: gold ($1.32B), low-voltage protection equipment ($775M), rolled tobacco ($769M), medical instruments ($535M), and knit t-shirts ($355M)

Cultural Spotlight

The Dominican Republic’s big holidays include Virgen de Altagracia, Caribbean Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Although all countries that speak Spanish celebrate this last one, Dominicans know how to have fun big time! 

8. Ecuador

Map and location: 

Located in South America, Ecuador borders Colombia and Peru. 

Capital: Quito 

Regions: 24 provinces 

Nationality: ecuatoriano/a

National anthem: Lyrics by Juan León Mera, composed and music by Antonio Neumane (1870). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 17.37 million (2019)

Official currency: United States Dollar 

GDP (2018): $108 billion (current US$) 

Main exports: crude petroleum ($7.97B), bananas ($3.37B), crustaceans ($3.24B), processed fish ($1.23B), and refined petroleum ($947M)

Cultural Spotlight

Ecuador’s highlights include the Mama Negra festival, Guayaquil, and one that’s also celebrated in many countries that speak Spanish: Carnival. 

9. El Salvador

Map and location: 

Located in Central America, El Salvador borders Guatemala and Honduras. 

Capital: San Salvador 

Regions: 14 departments 

Nationality: salvadoreño/a

National Anthem: lyrics by Juan José Cañas (1856) and music by Juan Aberle (1879). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 6.454 million (2019)

Official currency: United States Dollar and Salvadoran Colón 

GDP (2019): $27.02 billion 

Main exports: golden coffee, sugar, tuna, corn flour, cane molasses, sweets, cuttings, cheeses, and honey

Cultural Spotlight

Among all countries that speak Spanish, El Salvador also has unique traditions, such as the Festival of fire, Fiesta de San Salvador, and San Miguel Carnival. 

10. Equatorial Guinea

Map and location:

Located in Africa, it borders Cameroon and Gabon. 

Capital: Malabo 

Regions: 4 provinces 

Nationality: ecuatoguineano/a 

National Anthem: lyrics by Atanasio Ndongo Miyone. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 1.356 million (2019)

Official currency: Central African Franc

GDP (2018): $13.4 billion (current US$)

Main exports: crude petroleum ($3.65B), petroleum gas ($1.3B), acyclic alcohols ($377M), rough wood ($343M), and gold ($17.5M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Some of the traditions in Equatorial Guinea include President’s Day, Freedom Day, and Corpus Christi (which is also celebrated in many countries that speak Spanish). 

11. México

Map and location: 

Located in North America, Mexico borders Belize, Guatemala, and the United States. 

Capital: Ciudad de México

Regions: 32 states 

Nationality: mexicano/a

National anthem: composed by Jaime Nunó and lyrics by Francisco González Bocanegra (1853). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 127.6 million (2019)

Official currency: Mexican Peso

GDP (2018): $1.22 trillion (current US$)

Main exports: cars ($50.7B), vehicle parts ($30.1B), computers ($29.7B), delivery trucks ($25B), and telephones ($16.7B) 

Cultural Spotlight

Mexico’s most important holidays include Día de la Candelaria, Día de la Constitución, Día de los Muertos, and Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. All are great days to experience Mexican culture! 

12. Guatemala

Map and location: 

Located in Central America, Guatemala borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. 

Capital: Guatemala City

Regions: 22 departments 

Nationality: guatemalteco/a

National Anthem: lyrics by José Joaquín Palma (1896) and music by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle (1896). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 16.6 million (2019)

Official currency: Guatemalan Quetzal 

GDP (2018): $78.6 billion (current US$)

Main exports: bananas ($1.35B), coffee ($775M), knit sweaters ($676M), raw sugar ($448M), and knit t-shirts ($401M)

Cultural Spotlight

The alfombras de aserrín en Semana Santa, el festival folklórico de Cobán, la feria de Santo Tomás, and los barriletes gigantes de Sumpango are four traditions you can’t miss in Guatemala! 

*Interesting fact: the giant kites are the biggest ones among countries that speak Spanish! 

13. Honduras

Map and location: 

Located in Central America, Honduras borders El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. 

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Regions: 18 departments 

Nationality: hondureño/a

National Anthem: lyrics by Augusto Constatino Coello and music by Carlos Hartling. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 9.746 million (2019)

Official currency: Honduran Lempira

GDP (2018): $24 billion (current US$)

Main exports: knit t-shirts ($1.46B), knit sweaters ($1.09B), coffee ($1.02B), insulated wire ($626M), and bananas ($297M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Popular festivals in Honduras involve Guancascos, Virgen de Suyapa, Feria Isidra de la Ceiba, and Chimeneas gigantes de Trinidad. These are traditions you won’t find in any of the other countries that speak Spanish! 

14. Nicaragua

Map and location 

Located in Central America, Nicaragua borders Costa Rica and Honduras. 

Capital: Managua

Regions: 9 regions with 15 departments 

Nationality: nicaragüense

National Anthem: Composed by Luis Abraham Delgadillo (1918). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 6.546 million (2019)

Official currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba

GDP (2018): $13.1 billion (current US$)

Main exports: knit t-shirts ($629M), insulated wire ($537M), gold ($457M), coffee ($433M), and frozen bovine meat ($264M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Nicaraguan festivities like the International Poetry Festival, La Purísima and La Gritería, and Independence Day will amaze you! 

15. Panamá

 Map and location:

Located in Central America, Panama borders Colombia and Costa Rica. 

Capital: Ciudad de Panamá

Regions: 10 provinces 

Nationality: panameño/a

National Anthem: lyrics by Jeronimo de la Ossa, composed by Santos Jorge. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag:

Population: 4.246 million (2019)

Official currency: United States Dollar, Panamanian Balboa 

GDP (2018): $65.1 billion (current US$)

Main exports: refined petroleum ($769M), coal tar oil ($497M), passenger and cargo ships ($424M), bananas ($304M), and gold ($248M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Three of Panama’s festivities are Día del Mártir, Las Tablas, and Día de la Bandera. 

16. Paraguay

Map and location: 

Located in South America, Paraguay borders Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.

Capital: Asunción

Regions: 17 departments and 1 capital district 

Nationality: paraguayo/a

National Anthem: lyrics by Francisco Acuña de Figueroa (1846‎) and music by Francesco Casale (1850). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 7.045 million (2019)

Official currency: Paraguayan Guaraní

GDP (2018): $40.5 billion (current US$)

Main exports: soybeans ($2.23B), soybean meal ($945M), frozen bovine meat ($653M), soybean oil ($473M), and bovine meat ($449M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Paraguay has several traditions you’ll love! These include Día de San Blas, Verbena de San Juan, and Nanduti Festival.  

17. Perú

Map and location: 

Located in South America, it borders Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. 

Capital: Lima 

Regions: 24 departments 

Nationality: peruano/a

National Anthem: Composed by José Bernardo Alcedo, lyrics by José de la Torre Ugarte y Alarcón, and music by José Bernardo Alcedo (1821). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 32.51 million (2019)

Official currency: Sol 

GDP (2018): $222 billion (current US$)

Main exports: copper ore ($13B), gold ($7.08B), refined petroleum ($2.83B), zinc ore ($2.2B), and refined copper ($1.85B)

Cultural Spotlight

The Trujillo Marinera Festival, Fiesta de las Cruces, Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, and the Procesión del Señor de los Milagros are four traditions that showcase the beauty of Peruvian culture. 

18. Puerto Rico

Map and location:

This island is an unincorporated territory of the United States. 

Capital: San Juan

Regions: 78 municipalities 

Nationality: puertorriqueño/a

National Anthem: composed by Félix Astol Artés, lyrics by Manuel Fernández Juncos (1901). Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 3.194 million (2019)

Official currency: United States Dollar 

Main exports: medicine, blood, and hormones 

Cultural Spotlight

Puerto Rico’s traditions include the Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos, Fiestas tradicionales de Santiago Apóstol, and Procesión Las Mañanitas in Ponce.  

19. Spain

Map and location: 

Located in Europe, Spain borders Andorra, France, Morocco, Portugal, and Gibraltar. 

Capital: Madrid

Regions: 16 autonomous communities, one provincial community, and two autonomous cities

Nationality: español/a

National Anthem: composed by Bartolomé Pérez Casas and Francisco Grau Vegara. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 46.94 million (2019)

Official currency: Euro 

GDP (2018): $1.42 trillion (current US$)

Main exports: cars ($35.9B), refined petroleum ($13.3B), vehicle parts ($11.7B), packaged medicine ($8.82B), and delivery trucks ($6.65B) 

Cultural Spotlight

Popular traditions and holidays in Spain are the Fallas valencianas, Fiesta de San Fermín, Carnaval de Cádiz, Corridas de Roros, and El Camino de Santiago. 

20. Uruguay

Map and location:

Located in South America, Uruguay borders Argentina and Brazil. 

Capital: Montevideo 

Regions: 9 departments 

Nationality: uruguayo/a 

National Anthem: lyrics by Francisco Acuña de Figueroa (1833‎) and music by Francisco José Debali (1845). Listen to it on YouTube. ‎

Flag: 

Population: 3.462 million (2019)

Official currency: Uruguayan Peso 

GDP (2018): $59.6 billion (current US$)

Main exports: sulfate chemical woodpulp ($1.79B), frozen bovine meat ($1.28B), concentrated milk ($461M), rice ($397M), and bovine meat ($363M) 

Cultural Spotlight

Uruguayan traditions include going to the tablado during Carnival, eating an asado (recognized as one of the best ones in countries that speak Spanish!), and parading with the neighborhood comparsa. 

21. Venezuela

Map and location:

Located in South America, Venezuela borders Colombia, Guyana, and Brazil. 

Capital: Caracas 

Regions: 23 states 

Nationality: venezolano/a

National Anthem: lyrics by Vicente Salias, music by Juan José Landaeta. Listen to it on YouTube. 

Flag: 

Population: 28.52 million (2019)

Official currency: Venezuelan bolívar

GDP (2014): $480,140 million

Cultural Spotlight

The Fiesta de San Juan, Carnaval de Carúpano, and Feria de la Chinita are traditions and festivities people enjoy in Venezuela. 

Learn Spanish! 

Phew! You’ve learned a lot about the 21 countries that speak Spanish. Are you interested in learning the Spanish language, too? Homeschool Spanish Academy has been providing personalized classes to Spanish learners for more than 10 years. Sign up for a free class to learn this language with certified professionals from one of the countries that speak Spanish: Guatemala! 

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