To the surprise of many, Portuguese is not only spoken in Portugal but also in Brazil, Africa, and Asia. In total, nine countries use Portuguese as their main language. They are: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe 
and East Timor. The combined population of these countries is approximately 270 million people, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To the surprise of many, Portuguese is not only spoken in Portugal but also in Brazil, Africa, and Asia. In total, nine countries use Portuguese as their main language. They are: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor. The combined population of these countries is approximately 270 million people, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Yes, Portuguese and Spanish are very similar languages. Both are based on Latin and share many grammatical structures and patterns. But they are not the same. Assuming that because you speak Spanish, you will completely speak and understand Portuguese and vice versa would be a mistake.Portuguese Community
The Portuguese language holds a very important place in the world; it is no wonder that Portuguese-speaking countries have come together in a community that has the language as a unifying element.
In July, this community, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), celebrated its twenty-first anniversary. The organization was created in 1996 by the nine Portuguese-speaking countries with the mission of promoting political-diplomatic dialogue, expanding cooperation in all areas, and disseminating the Portuguese language. Brazil currently holds the rotating presidency of the organization for the period 2016-2018.
In the last twenty-one years, the CPLP has established itself as a platform for integration and dialogue among Portuguese-speaking countries and between these countries and the world, becoming an international body with credibility in the international community. For Brazil, the CPLP is a valuable forum for political dialogue, offering opportunities for the development of South-South cooperation and for the continued recognition of its common language on the world stage.
The uniqueness of the CPLP is due to the fact that its member states are spread across different continents and that it has built, on the solid foundation of a common language and historical and cultural ties, a network of shared values and interests that transcend geographical distances.
The CPLP was built on principles that, from the Brazilian perspective, are essential. First, decisions are made by consensus, giving them unquestionable legitimacy. As a result, dialogue among members occurs in a horizontal and democratic manner, with recognition and respect for existing asymmetries.
The presence and activities of the Community have contributed to the international projection of the Portuguese language; to the institutional 
and political strengthening of its members in times of crisis or instability; to the joint assertion of common interests of its members in other international forums; and to the development of cooperation programs in various areas.
Based in Lisbon, the Executive Secretariat is the operational arm of the organization and has as its main purposes to implement the decisions of the deliberative bodies and ensure the execution of cooperation programs. The position of executive secretary of the CPLP has been held since July 2012 by Isaac Murade Murargy from Mozambique.
The CPLP is financed both by the operating budget of the Executive Secretariat, funded by mandatory contributions from member states, and by a Special Fund, constituted by voluntary contributions and intended to finance cooperation programs, projects, and thematic initiatives.The Future
Portuguese continues to be an important language worldwide. It is a mandatory subject in schools in Argentina and Uruguay. Additionally, it is taught in Venezuela, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has identified Portuguese as the fastest-growing language in Europe (after English) and with the potential to be the fastest-growing foreign language throughout Southern Africa and South America. Due to the economic ties between Asian countries and Portuguese-speaking countries (especially Brazil), interest in the language has been growing. This is evident in China, Korea, and Japan. China has even received a large number of Brazilian immigrants who are slowly spreading their special dialect of Portuguese. The expected future of Portuguese is one of continuous growth.Source: Itamaraty and British Council