How many countries in the world speak Italian?

It's tricky to say definitively how many countries "speak Italian" as it depends on how you define "speak".

Here's a breakdown:

* Official Language: Italian is the official language of 4 countries:

* Italy

* San Marino

* Vatican City

* Switzerland (specifically in the canton of Ticino)

* Regional Languages: Italian is also spoken as a regional or minority language in several other countries, particularly in regions with historical ties to Italy:

* France: In the regions of Corsica, Nice, and the Italian Valley.

* Slovenia: In the region of Istria.

* Croatia: In the region of Istria.

* Albania: In the south, near the border with Italy.

* Montenegro: In the region of Boka Kotorska.

* Malta: Although Maltese is a distinct language, it has significant Italian influence.

* Other countries: There are smaller Italian-speaking communities in various parts of the world due to migration and historical connections.

Therefore, the number of countries where Italian is spoken depends on your definition. If you are looking at official languages, it's 4. If you consider regional languages, the number is much higher.