The primary language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. This linguistic distinction arose from Brazil's colonization by Portugal in the 16th century, when the Portuguese explorers claimed the land and established settlements. Over the centuries, Brazilian Portuguese has developed its unique characteristics, influenced by indigenous languages and African dialects, leading to a rich cultural tapestry. Portuguese is not only the dominant language in Brazil but is also spoken in other countries that were formerly Portuguese colonies. Today, Brazil has the largest Portuguese-speaking population in the world.