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The definition of the Francophone world is distinguished by countries and territories where French is an official language, those where it is the native language of the majority of the population, and those where the language is used as a working language of administration or where the language still has an important cultural impact and prestige.
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF; sometimes shortened to La Francophonie, French: La Francophonie [la fʁɑ̃kɔfɔni], [4] [note 3] sometimes also called International Organisation of La Francophonie in English [5]) is an international organization representing where there is a notable affiliation with French language and culture.
French is also the second most geographically widespread language in the world after English, with about 60 countries and territories having it as a de jure or de facto official, administrative, or cultural language. [1] The following is a list of sovereign states and territories where French is an official or de facto language.
This is a list of the member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.These governments belong to an international organisation representing countries and regions where French is the first ("mother") or customary language, where a significant proportion of the population are francophones (French speakers) or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture.
A French-speaking person or nation may be referred to as Francophone in both English and French. French is an official language in 27 countries, as well as one of the most geographically widespread languages in the world, with about 50 countries and territories having it as a de jure or de facto official, administrative, or cultural language. [4]
Only half of Dakar residents identify with a Francophone status or feel solidarity with French-speaking countries, but the French language is seen as essential for everyday affairs and education. [72] French was the language of literacy for 37.2% of the population in 2013, followed by Arabic at 11.1%.
The countries of the French-speaking world also include several emerging countries, notably in West and Central Africa, which are experiencing rapid economic growth. Other areas where French is historically or officially spoken include so called " developed countries " like parts of the United States (particularly Louisiana , New Hampshire ...
French is still a lingua franca in most Western and Central African countries and an official language of many, a remnant of French and Belgian colonialism. These African countries and others are members of the Francophonie. French is the official language of the Universal Postal Union, with English added as a working language in 1994. [46