How many countries in the northern hemisphere speak spanish as their second language?

It's difficult to definitively say how many countries in the Northern Hemisphere use Spanish as a second language. There are a few reasons for this:

* Definition of "second language": What constitutes a "second language" can be subjective. Does it mean the language is widely spoken but not official? Or does it mean it's taught in schools and used for certain purposes?

* Varying levels of proficiency: Some countries may have large Spanish-speaking populations, but only a portion of the population is truly fluent.

* Data availability: There's no centralized source tracking the number of countries where Spanish is a "second language."

However, we can make some educated guesses based on known facts:

* The USA: Spanish is spoken by a significant minority in the United States. While English is the official language, Spanish is widely used in many communities and is often taught in schools.

* Canada: Spanish is spoken by a smaller minority in Canada than in the USA, but it's growing.

* Other countries: Spanish is spoken by significant minorities in some other Northern Hemisphere countries due to immigration, historical connections, or proximity to Latin America (e.g., parts of Europe like Spain itself, parts of the Caribbean, and parts of North Africa).

In conclusion, while an exact number is hard to pinpoint, several countries in the Northern Hemisphere have significant Spanish-speaking populations and use it as a second language to varying degrees.