* Morocco: Though not officially Spanish-speaking, Morocco has a significant Spanish-speaking population due to its historical ties with Spain. There is a large Spanish diaspora in Morocco, and Spanish is used in some areas for business and communication.
Other countries in the Mediterranean region with strong historical ties to Spain:
* Algeria: Similar to Morocco, Algeria has a historical connection with Spain and a smaller Spanish-speaking community.
* Tunisia: Tunisia also shares a history with Spain, though Spanish is less prevalent than in Morocco or Algeria.
It's important to note that these countries are all on the northern coast of Africa, across the Mediterranean Sea from Spain. While they have a historical and cultural connection, they are not geographically the *closest* to Spain in a strict sense.