The predominant language spoken in the Netherlands is Dutch. It is spoken and written by almost all people in the country and is also the official language of Flanders, the neighboring northern provinces of Belgium, and several other regions and countries, including Aruba, CuraƧao, Sint Maarten, and Suriname. In addition to Dutch, Frisian is a co-official language in the province of Friesland. English is also widely spoken, and the municipality of Amsterdam recognizes it as an official language, albeit with a lower status than Dutch. The Dutch are known for their proficiency in English, and the country is a unique crossroads of Europe, where French and German are also fairly common to hear. Overall, Dutch is the main language spoken in the Netherlands, but due to its unique position in Europe, other languages such as English, Frisian, and regional dialects are also present.