How many countries speak portugese?

There isn't a straightforward answer to how many countries "speak" Portuguese. It depends on what you mean by "speak":

Official Languages:

* 9 countries have Portuguese as an official language:

* Angola

* Brazil

* Cabo Verde

* Guinea-Bissau

* Mozambique

* Portugal

* São Tomé and Príncipe

* East Timor

* Equatorial Guinea (bilingual with Spanish)

Other Considerations:

* Historical Influence: Portuguese is spoken in many former Portuguese colonies, even if it isn't officially recognized. This includes countries like:

* Goa (India)

* Macau (China)

* Some parts of Africa (e.g., Zimbabwe, South Africa)

* Second Language: Many people in countries bordering Portuguese-speaking nations also learn Portuguese as a second language.

* Dialects and Variations: Even within the officially recognized countries, there are significant variations in the Portuguese language, making it challenging to count speakers accurately.

Therefore, while 9 countries have Portuguese as their official language, the total number of countries with a significant Portuguese-speaking population is considerably larger.