Portuguese is a Romance language that originated in the Iberian Peninsula and is now spoken by millions of people worldwide. It is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, and several African nations, making it one of the most widely spoken languages globally. The language has a rich literary tradition and is known for its unique phonetic characteristics. Portuguese is also the language of famous writers like Fernando Pessoa and Jorge Amado, contributing significantly to world literature. Its diverse dialects reflect the cultural variations across different regions where it is spoken.