While it's not the official language of any country, it's a recognized official language in several:
* Peru: Quechua is an official language alongside Spanish.
* Bolivia: Quechua is an official language alongside Spanish and Aymara.
* Ecuador: Quechua is an official language alongside Spanish.
* Colombia: Quechua is a recognized official language in certain regions.
* Argentina: Quechua is recognized as a regional language in some provinces.
Quechua has several dialects, and the number of speakers varies depending on the region and dialect. It's estimated that around 8 million people speak Quechua in Peru alone.
Therefore, while the Inca Empire may be long gone, the language it used continues to thrive and play a significant role in the lives of many people in South America.