La Francophonie

Today is International Francophonie Day.

The International Organization of the Francophonie (French: Organisation internationale de la Francophonie sometimes shortened to La Francophonie (French: La Francophonie) is a Group of 52 Countries with a Population of 1 Billion People that encourages and uses the French Language and French Culture.

It was founded in 1970.

Member Countries Are:

(Key: Blue = Dark Member (National)

Light Blue = Member (Regional)

Cylon = Associated Member

Red =  Suspended Member

Green =  Observer)

Albania: Brief French Protectorate in Korçë between 1916 and 1920.  30% of Albanians choose French as their first Foreign Language

Andorra: Formerly part of First French Empire. The President of France is also a Co-Prince of Andorra.

Armenia: France is considered Armenia's most critical European Partner.

Belgium: French is the Native Language of about 39% of the Population and 48% are Non-Native Speakers of French.

French Community of Belgium: Is a Separate Member.

Benin:  French Colony until 1960.

Burundi:  Belgian Colony until 1962. Uses French as an Official Language.

Cambodia: French Colony until 1953.

Cameroon: 90% of the Country was a French Colony until 1960.

Canada: Officially a Bilingual French and English Speaking Country since 1969 and part of the Country was a French Colony until 1763.

New Brunswick, Canada: The only Officially Bilingual Canadian Province with English and French.

Quebec, Canada: The only Unilingual French Speaking Canadian Province.  A Colony of France until 1763.

Cape Verde: French taken by 11% of the Population.

Central African Republic:  French Colony until 1960.

Chad: French Colony until 1960.

Comoros: French Colony until 1975.

Congo-Brazzaville: French Colony until 1960.

Congo-Kinshasa: Belgian Colony until 1960. Uses French as an Official Language.

 Côte d'Ivoire: French Colony until 1960.

Cyprus: Ruled by the French-Origin Lusignan Dynasty from 1192 until 1489. 12% of the Population speaks French.

Djibouti: French Colony until 1977.

Dominica: French and then British Colony; Antillean Creole, a French-based Creole Language, is spoken by 90% of the Population.

Egypt: French Colony from 1798 to 1801.

Equatorial Guinea: Country surrounded by French-Speaking Countries.

France: Origin of the French Language.

Gabon: French Colony until 1958.

Ghana: All land borders with French-Speaking countries. Study of French is being made Compulsory at the basic Educational Level and certain Subjects will be taught in both English and French.

Greece: French spoken by 7% of Population.

Guinea: French Colony until 1958.

Haiti: French Colony until 1804.

Laos: French Colony until 1953.

Lebanon: French Mandate from 1920 to 1943.

Luxembourg: French used by 98% of Population and is an Administrative Language.

North Macedonia: French spoken by 14% of the Population.

Madagascar: French Colony until 1960.

Mauritius: Dutch, French (1715-1810), and then British Colony. French is widely used in Commerce and by the Media. French is also a Language of instruction in Schools.

Moldova: French spoken by 2% of the Population.

Monaco: Independent Country enclaved in France. French Language is the Official Language.

Morocco: French Colony until 1956.

Romania: French spoken by 26% of the Population.

Rwanda: Belgian Colony until 1962. Uses French.

Saint Lucia: French Colony (1674-1814 )Antillean Creole, a French-Based Creole Language, is spoken by 90% of the Population.

São Tomé and Príncipe: French spoken by 20% of the Population.

Senegal: French Colony until 1960.

Seychelles: French Colony (1756-1814.) French still widely spoken.

Switzerland: French if the Native Language of 20% of the Population.

Togo; French Colony until 1960.

Tunisia: French Colony until 1956.

Vanuatu: French and British Colony until 1980. French spoken by 29% of the Population.

Vietnam: French Colony until 1953.