French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with 274 million speakers. There are no less than 84 countries and governments in the membership of the International Organization of French-speaking Countries (Francophone), including the State of Qatar. French is also a language rich in cultural influence, and is the gateway to a colorful world of arts and sciences. The fact of the matter is that the French language, in its cultural role, has helped define the features of many disciplines in a wide range of fields that include international relations, law, literature, philosophy, cooking, fashion, theater, dance and architecture. French is also the language of international business, higher education, travel and tourism.