How many countries have Spanish as there first or second language?

It's tricky to give a precise number of countries where Spanish is a first or second language. It depends on how you define "first" and "second" language.

Here's a breakdown:

Spanish as an official language:

* 20 countries have Spanish as their official language. These include Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Equatorial Guinea, and Andorra.

Spanish as a widely spoken language:

* Many more countries have a significant Spanish-speaking population, especially in the United States, where Spanish is the second most spoken language.

Factors to consider:

* Language policies and recognition: Some countries may officially recognize Spanish but not consider it a first or second language, while others may have Spanish as a de facto language without an official designation.

* Linguistic diversity: Within countries, there can be significant variations in the use of Spanish, with different dialects and regional variations.

Instead of focusing on a specific number, it's more accurate to say that Spanish is spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages globally.