Spanish is the official language of Uruguay, spoken by almost the entire population. However, due to its proximity to Brazil, a dialect of Portuguese known as "Portuñol" is also spoken in certain regions. Along the border, especially in the department of Artigas, bilingual communities are common. Uruguayan Spanish is influenced by European immigrants, particularly Italians, who arrived in the country in the 20th century, which enriches its linguistic and cultural heritage.