The Galician language is a Romance language spoken primarily in the region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It evolved from the Latin spoken in the area during the Middle Ages and shares similarities with both Portuguese and Spanish. Galician is recognized as an official language in Galicia, alongside Spanish, and is used in education, media, and government. Galician has a rich literary tradition, with notable works dating back to the 12th century. The language is an important part of Galician identity and culture, and efforts continue to promote its use and preservation in contemporary society.