The Portuguese language is derived from the Latin spoken by the romanized Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula around 2000 years ago—particularly the Celts, Tartessians, Lusitanians and Iberians. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the language spread worldwide as Portugal established a colonial and commercial empire between 1415 and 1999. Portuguese is now spoken as a native language in five different continents, with Brazil accounting for the largest number of native Portuguese speakers of any country (200 million speakers in 2012). COUNT 5
QSN1 From what language is Portuguese derived? ANS1 Latin QSN2 By what group of people is Portuguese derived? ANS2 Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula QSN3 Between what years did Portugal establish a colonial and commercial empire? ANS3 1415 and 1999 QSN4 In how many continents is Portuguese spoken as a native language? ANS4 five QSN5 What country has the largest number of native Portuguese speakers? ANS5 Brazil