What countries in Europe speak English

Whether you're backpacking in Barcelona, skiing in Switzerland, or dining in Dubrovnik, it's probably a good idea to learn a few essential phrases in the local language. Or, at the very least, learn the word for beer -- and how to say it properly. But even if you're lazy or just flat out inept with languages, there are still quite a few places you can get away with speaking only English (without looking like a complete American idiot abroad).

This handy map -- compiled by Czech linguist Jakub Marian -- displays which European countries are most proficient in English, and where you're likely to find a local that can hold an entire conversation with you. Marian used data collected by the "Special Eurobarometer 386" report.

As expected, you'll find English speakers in the UK and Ireland (duh), though their accents might actually make them incomprehensible. But in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, more than 80% of the population are well-versed in English. And a vast amount of the population in Austria, Cyprus, and Finland, where more than 70% will be able to understand you, are your next best bets. You probably won't even need any liquid courage to strike up a conversation!

As Marian points out on his website, "almost all EU citizens have had at least some contact with English during their life". But that doesn't necessarily mean the four people who live in the tiny Spanish town you're hiking through are going to be able to help you find your way back to your hostel. In fact, just 22% of the Spanish population can hold a conversation in the current lingua franca. But Spain's not the worst place to be without a phrasebook; that'd be Hungary, where just 20% can chat in English -- making it the European country least proficient in the language.

Good thing Hungarian is really easy to learn.

http://www.thrillist.com

The Father of Europe

During the Middle Ages (about AD 500-1500) one of the most powerful European kings was Charlemagne.

(Charlemagne - Карл I Великий). 

Charlemagne was a Frank. The Franks were a people who lived in parts of what are now France and Germany. When he became the one and only ruler of the Frankish lands in AD 771, Charlemagne wanted to make his kingdom bigger and stronger. He also wanted to spread Christianity and protect the Roman Catholic church.
With this plan in mind, Charlemagne spent 30 years battling the Saxons, another Germanic people. In these and many other wars, Charlemagne gained control over much of western Europe, including what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and half of Italy and Germany.
In 794 Charlemagne established his capital at Aachen in western Germany. In the year 800, the pope crowned him emperor of the whole region.

He worked with leaders of the church to improve the church and government. And he sent out special agents to make sure that his laws were being obeyed.
Charlemagne brought about many improvements in the empire. He set up a new money system and reformed the law courts. He built a large court library and set up a school at his palace court. He was concerned with educating the ordinary people and improving the  learning of priests. He hoped education would make his people better Christians.
Charlemagne died in 814. Today he is remembered as one of the most important rulers in European history. In fact, he’s sometimes called the father of Europe.