Dutch is spoken primarily in the following countries:

• The Netherlands : Dutch is the official language and spoken by the vast majority of the population, about 17 million people

• Belgium : Dutch is one of three official languages, spoken mainly in the northern region called Flanders by about 6.5 million people. The Dutch spoken here is often called Flemish but it is essentially the same language

• Suriname : Dutch is the official language used in government and courts, spoken by roughly 300,000 people in this South American country

• Caribbean countries and territories : Dutch is an official language in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, which are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands or former Netherlands Antilles

In summary, Dutch is an official language in six countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, with additional Dutch- speaking communities in some Caribbean territories