Language, Capitol & Currency in Slovakia

Language

Approximately 5 million people speak “Slovakian”, the Slovak language. It's origins come from West Slavic languages similar to Czech, Polish and Serbian. It has also been influenced by German and Hungarian.  Here are some examples:
 
Thank you – Ďakujem
Please – Prosím
It is nice to meet you – Teší ma
Welcome – Vítajte
How are you? – Ako sa máš?

Many others who speak languages based on standard Slavic can understand basic Slovakian. The  speakers of different varieties have a long history of interaction and mutual influence, However, often significant variation among Slovak dialects will confuse the speaker of another dialect. For example, eastern varieties differ significantly from the central and western varieties. As usual, the written form is more consistent than the verbal form which have phonetic differences. The German and Hungarian influence can be seen mostly in vocabulary. For example the German word for "coins," is “Munzen“ in Slovak it is “mince”.


Capitol

Bratislava the largest city in Slovakia, it also serves as the state capitol. There you will find the National Council of the Slovak Republic, the Government of the Slovak Republic and the national administrative offices of the republic. Bratislava is situated a little east of Vienna and northwest of Budapest, close the center of Eastern and Western Europe.The town spreads like a fan on both banks of the Danube river and at the foot of the Low Carpathian mountains.

image provided by slovakiacompany.com

Bratislava is the largest city in the Slovak Republic with a  population is some 450, 000. A major industrial center, Bratislava is known for producing:

• VW cars
• Furniture
• Chemicals
• Tobacco products
• Musical instruments
• Woolen goods
• Leather products

Visitors will also find the:

• Restored 11th century Gothic cathedral 
• Former Hungarian Royal Palace overlooking the city
• Franciscan church from the 13th century
• Town hall, also from the 13th century
• Comenius University in Bratislava (1919)
• Slovak Technical University in Bratislava (1938)
• Slovak Academy of Sciences (1953)

Founded as Press-burg before the 10th century, the city expanded to include strong fortifications erected during the 12th century and located on the Danube, it held a strategic importance in the area and was the capital of Hungary from 1541 to 1784. In 1805 at Austerlitz (Slavkov), when Napoleon's army defeated the armies of Francis I, the Austrian emperor and Alexander I, the Russian Tsar, the peace of Bratislava was signed in the Primate's Palace. Then in 1919, when Czechoslovakia was created in 1919 after World War I, the city was renamed Bratislava and made capital of the province of Slovakia.


Currency

In the Czechoslovak federation (prior to 1993) the Czechoslovak Koruna (= 100 halierov / hellers) was used. As the country split in 1993, two new currencies were introduced: Czech Koruna and Slovak Koruna. Both Korunas had initially the same value as the old Czechoslovak Koruna. Due to different economic performances of the two countries, the Czech Koruna became about 20-30% more valuable the the Slovak one.

image provided by thecurrencycommission.com

By May 1, 2004  when both countries joined the European Union the migration to the Euro started. The Euro replaced the Slovak crown (koruna) in 2009. In the Czech Republic the Czech crown is still in use.

You are strongly advised not to deal with moneychangers in the street even though they may be offering you a favorable rate.














 

Introdution to Slovakia ( Slovak Republic)

Image provided by slovakia.com

Slovakia is a beautiful country, full of gorgeous mountains, rivers and incredible castles. Mostly landlocked, it does have access to the Danube River on the southwestern border with Austria and Hungry. It also shares borders with the Czech Republic in the Northwest, Poland to the North, Ukraine to the East and Hungary also to the South.

Slovakia has a total area of 18,928 square miles (49,035 square kilometers).


Elevations rise from a low of 308 feet (94 meters) at the Bodrok River to a high of 8,711 feet (2,655 meters) at Gerlachovsky peak, in the vicinity of Poprad to the North. Areas range from rugged mountains to rich, agricultural plains.

Image provided by Natural Gas.com

Bratislava, the capital, is a city of 441,453 people, in the Southwest on Danube.

Image provided by ginfo.wz.cz      

The total population of Slovakia
is 5,488,339 (July 2013 est.)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The people of Slovakia have had a tumultuous past, being combined with The Check Republic, occupied first by Nazis, then controlled as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. And finally an independent country in 1993. Today it is a member of the European Union, uses the euro for currency and is governed with a Parliamentary Democracy.

Language, Capitol & Currency in the Netherlands

Language
Most people in the Netherlands speak Dutch. It is a West Germanic, Low Franconian language that originated in the Early Middle Ages (c. 470) and was standardized in the 16th century. 

There are also some recognized provincial languages and regional dialects, such as in the province of Fryslân (Friesland) the Frisian language (not a dialect!) is spoken. Except for the western provinces, The Foundation Dutch Dialects (Stichting Nederlandse Dialecten,) recognizes about 3 dialects per province.
Dutch is also spoken in Aruba, Brussels, Curacao, Flanders, Saint Martin and Suriname. Most Dutch people can also speak and understand English quite well.



Capitol
Netherlands being the most densely populated country of the world has very interesting cities, beautifully preserved nature, and varied landscape, always fresh through the wind from the sea.

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, stands on the estuary of the bay IJ that is a lake, formerly a bay, in the Dutch province of  North Holland and about 20 km from the North Sea coast. Throughout its 800-year history, Amsterdam has combined a hard-headed approach to commerce and business with a remarkable willingness to experiment with new ideas, from the Rationalism of Erasmus to the revolutionary Protestantism's of Luther, through the republicanism of the 17th century.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city which combines old world charm such as lovely homes on the canals built during Amsterdam's prosperous past, world renown museums to celebrate its greatest painters, and beautiful fields of tulips.  Amsterdam is one of Europe's great centers of visual Arts today.






The Netherlands or Holland?
Here is a little know fact, almost a secret. "What should I call it?  Holland or Netherlands?" Many people incorrectly call the Netherlands, "Holland." In fact, only the central part of the Netherlands is geographically named Holland. This part of the country consists now of two provinces Noord Holland (North Holland) and Zuid-Holland (South Holland). This is the region with important cities as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague (Den Haag), Delft, Leiden and Haarlem.



Currency
Today, the Euro is the coin of the realm in the Netherlands. However, it wasn't always the case. In the 17th century, the Dutch Guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands. Here is another piece of trivia. The name Guilder is an English translation of the Dutch name "gulden" which was an adjective which meant "golden."

Economy

Following the worldwide recession, the Netherlands did not avoid the slowdown and unemployment has dropped. In addition, the OE-CD's strategic study points out that the working population is aging. As a result, the Netherlands is stimulating its economy through fundamental reforms to adapt labor institutions for an aging population, increased workforce mobility, and transition to long-term revitalization. This will pay enormous dividends in the future.

Language, Capitol & Currency in Hungary

Language

The language spoken in Hungary is Hungarian. Because the people came from a tribal area and the Ural mountains, their language has little relation to the Romance languages of Europe or the Germanic languages. In fact, the closest relatives are Finnish and Lappish, suggesting an ancient group of northward migrating tribes, some of which settled in the Urals and others who traveled further north. Recent linguistic classifications place it with the Samoyedic group which covers northern parts of Europe and Russia. As well as a tell-tell link to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Distantly related are Turkish and Basque. This uniqueness and linguistic isolation has become a source of pride to Hungarians.




Capitol 
I want to repeat the insight I provided in my introduction to Hungary.
The capital of Hungary is Budapest, the "Little Paris of Eastern Europe".  It has become the delight of European youth because of its vibrant nightlife, youthful atmosphere, and world class classical music. There is also a rich café life in Budapest. Scenically located on the banks of the Danube, the architecture and unique culture has resulted in a listing in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here you will find remains from the Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire, and Austrian Empire. While the city is actually divided into 23 districts, it is usually referred to as Buda and Pest, the two sides of the Danube. Buda and Pest, the two previously independent cities together with Óbuda were united in 1873, and became a single city occupying both banks of the River Danube. The famous public buildings, the green hills of Buda, the wide avenues and shopping centers of Pest, and the connecting bridges over the river really make Budapest one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. Budapest is a beautiful city with great architecture and so many things to do and see.

The mighty Danube flows 2850 kilometers through Europe from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea and passes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, along the Croatian-Serbian border, past Bulgaria on its journey to the mouth of the Danube at Sulina, Romania. It is Europe's second longest river after the Volga.
Budapest has enough to impress new and returning visitors.

Currency 
The Forint is the currency in Hungary and it is hard to find since it is only used in Hungary.
I recommend you should change money or withdraw cash from an ATM after your arrival. You can find both at the train station and airport.
Changing money on the street is a bad idea! It's useful to bring your credit card but in Hungary you should always have cash with you because cards are not accepted at many places. The easiest way to get cash is from an ATM machine; however, most banks also charge a 3% currency translation fee. So, check the local rates. The best official rates for cash could be in a bank. Banks are generally available, most open from 8 AM to 4 PM and some even on Saturday. Plan ahead, don't get caught on a weekend or holiday out of cash. While Exchange booths are also available, the rates are higher.

Tips are an expected source of income in Hungary and the general rule is 10% of the total amount for good service..

Introduction to Hungary

Hungary is in Central Europe bordered by Slovakia to the north, Austria and Slovenia to the west, Croatia and Serbia to the south, and Romania and Ukraine to the east and north-east. The nation was created when a branch of Uralic speakers migrated from their earlier homeland near the Ural mountains and settled in various places in Eastern Europe. They eventually captured the Carpathian Basin between the 9th and 10th centuries. Hungary has a democratically-elected, parliament, the National Assembly. The majority of the population speaks Hungarian and the country is 35,919 sq miles (93,030 km²) in area.

When I was younger, I wonder where the name "Hungary" came from and I discovered that there are several possible origins. The most accepted origin was from the name of the Ungri tribe which lived in the steppes of Russia and eventually dominated the area now know as Hungary. Medieval Latin would have added the H prefix to create the word Hungri.

Today, the population of Hungary is just under 10 million. However the are large populations of descendants of the original Ungri line found in Europe and the United States.
The language they speak is Hungarian.


The capital of Hungary is Budapest, the "Little Paris of Eastern Europe".  It has become the delight of European youth because of its vibrant nightlife, youthful atmosphere, and world class classical music. Scenically located on the banks of the Danube, the architecture and unique culture has resulted in a listing in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you will find remains from the Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire, and Austrian Empire. While the city is actually divided into 23 districts, it is usually referred to as Buda and Pest, the two sides of the Danube.

Language, Capitol and Currency in Austria

Language

German is spoken in Austria. The Austrian dialect is melodious and pleasant to the ear. The Austrian German strongly resembles the German used in Southern Germany.

Standard German did not spread from a regional dialect; rather it was consciously created by scholars such as Martin Luther who remove as many regional variations so that the greatest number of Germans could read the Bible in German. The 18th century poets, Goethe and Schiller,  further standardized German.

Today there are more than 120 million people speaking German in 8 countries around the world, so you would expect some variation. Austrian German is very similar to Southern German. Northern German is influenced by Dutch and English. It is said by some that the purest original form is found in Austria and Southern Germany (Austrians I am sure)


Capitol 

Vienna, the Capitol of Austria, was driven to its splendor by the Habsburgs. Vienna's love of music and the arts comes from its passionate people. Mercer’s international 2011 survey, ranked Vienna top in quality of life.

A big attraction in Vienna is Le Meridien, which is set near the edge of the Ringstrasse, one of the most exciting and hottest shopping and entertainment areas in the city.  The world famous Vienna State Opera is one of the most celebrated opera houses in the whole of Europe.  Tickets to the  Vienna Philharmonic's New Years Day concert sell out six months in advance, so book early.   Other must see destinations include"

• Imperial Hofburg Palace,
• Albertina, Secession
• Museumsquartier.

My favorite is a night time stroll along the Inner Ring (Begins with Schubertring) where you can hear the music of string quartets playing a Viennese Waltz. Stop in and have a Café Mit Schlag or a glass of Austrian wine. You will create wonderful memories. Vienna is home to some of the world’s greatest composers.  Visitors will find ample evidence as they take in the sublime music of Vienna from its myriad of concert halls, opera houses,  theaters and dozens of little bars, wine houses and lounges.

If you want to explore the city, rent a bike. Vienna has over 800 kilometers of bicycling paths. On a lighter side, shopping the outdoor markets is a fun day. Austria was once the cross roads between East and West; so, you will find exquisite items in the outdoor markets. My favorite spot is the Christmas Market.  It is a sight to behold!

If you are thinking of making your way to Europe and are near Vienna, Austria, give yourself a big memorable treat and spend a night or two with wonderful people in a city full of music.

Currency 

• The first Austrian Schilling was introduced in the year 1924.
•  1 schilling = 10,000 Austro Kronen. During World War II (in 1938), the Schilling was replaced by the German Reichmark.
•  In 1945, the Austrian Schilling was reinstated as the official currency for Austria. Schilling notes were issued that year, and coins were issued in 1946.
•  During the 1950s the Austrian Schilling started stabilizing. Then in 1976, the Schilling was pegged to the German Mark. Finally in 1999, the Euro replaced the Schilling, but the Schilling continued to circulate until 2002.

  

Introduction to Austria

Austria is a such beautiful country, I was there twice and will go back when I have a chance.

The beauty of the mountains, valleys, lakes, the Alps ... nature is breath taking. There is a mix of landscapes with glaciers, meadows, alpine valleys, wooded foothills, rolling farmland, vineyards, river gorges and cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. If you never had a chance to visit Austria, please consider going.  It is a "must see" . You will want to experience "all" that this great country has to offer.



Vienna is the capitol of Austria. The government system is a federal republic. The country has a population of 8.4 million who use the Euro as it currency and speak German.

Geography

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with an area of 32,377 sq miles (83,855 km²). It's bordering countries are:

• North - Czech Republic and Germany
• East - Slovakia and Hungary
• South - Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia
• East - tiny Liechtenstein

Internally, West and South Austria are located in the Alps while the rest of the country is mostly flat.



  

Introduction to Poland

Bordering on Germany in the west, the Baltic Sea 
and the Kaliningrad region of Russia in the north, 
Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine in the east, and the 
Czech Republic and Slovakia in the south, Poland 
is the ninth largest European country. It has a area 
of 312.685 km (120.727 sqm) and a population of 
40 million.

The official language is Polish and religion is Roman 
Catholic (95%), Orthodox (2%), Protestant (1%)

Currency: 1 zloty (PLN) = 31 cents.


Poland offers a variety of attractions:

1. Wild scenery in the south with skiing and hiking
2. Stunning old towns of Krakow, Zamosc and Gdansk
3. Wilderness of the Bialowieza National Park
4. Water sports in the Masurian Lakes in the north.

Stunning Cities

• Krakow - the old royal capital - is acclaimed for its many precious architectural monuments and a unique friendly atmosphere
• Gdansk, Wroclaw, Torun or Kazimierz Dolny rank among the most beautiful places in northeastern Europe
• Warsaw, virtually destroyed during WWII has been completely reconstructed
• Several Polish castles and palaces (accommodation possible) 
• Ancient salt mine in WieliczkaElblag canal).

National Parks
Poland has twenty-two national parks with varied landscape - seaside,
lake districts, marshes, highlands and rocky mountains. Tatra, Mazury,
Biebrza, Narew, Wolin Island or Bieszczady have outstanding scenic
beauties and famous spa resorts.

Language, Capitol & Currency in Germany

Language

German is not the world’s first and most important language. It is not spoken by as many people as Spanish; but, it is an important language and to learn, especially in fields of science and medicine. Speaking it will give you a leg up on your peers.

Over 95% of Germans speak German or German dialects. There are 4 main minority languages, each spoken by less than 1% of the population : Sorbani, Romain, Danish, and North Frisian.

Many Germans also speak English, French, Latin, Dutch, and Russian as a second language.

First-generation immigrants may, of course, speak the languages of their former countries. This includes over 2 million Turkish immigrants.

Capitol

Berlin is now the Capitol of Germany but here is another little secret - Quedlinburg was the first Capitol and it would be hard to find a more charming town than Quedlinburg! The narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with over 1300 half-timbered houses.

Germany was united into a central government in 1871, under the leadership of Prussia. Berlin was also the capital of the Kingdom after 1918 in the State of Prussia. Then, in 1949, after the formation of Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) Bonn was chosen as the new capital, while East Berlin became the capital of the rival German Democratic Republic (East Germany). When Germany was reunited in 1990 Berlin was formally proclaimed the Federal Capital ('Bundeshauptstadt'). Berlin had a special status in international law, at least nominally, from 1945-90.

The city has a very rich history but also offers the latest in art, architecture and fashion. Berlin is changing constantly and there will always be something new to explore.

Currency

Since late March 2002 the only legal tender currency in Germany has been the Euro (€) . The Deutschmark is no longer legal tender.

Introduction to Portugal, Lisbon

Portugal

I am so happy to talk about and take you to Portugal where my grandparents were from. My grandmother was from Coimbra and my grandfather was from Porto, I  lost them when I was very young; but, retained a love for the Portuguese culture and history.

Situated on the southwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula its shape is almost rectangular. Its geographic location along the Atlantic coast, gives it a the ocean as 50% of its border (832 Km). It should be no surprise then that Portugal became a world leading sea power, competing with the Spaniards and English for World Domination with their colonial empires. Portugal occupies an area of about 91,600 sq Km, including the islands of Madeira and Azores.

Portugal has a population of more then 10 million people. The capital is Lisbon with a population of 1.5 million.

Geography

Portugal is an unbelievably beautiful country with:

1. Lush rivers, forests and valleys of the center and north
2. Contorted southern coastline of beaches, cliffs and coves 
3. Arid plains of the Alentejo region with its groves of olive, oranges, cork and vines
4.  Mountains in the north

Dazzling flowers announce the early arrival of Spring, carpeting hillside everywhere while summer lingers late into fall encouraging sea-bathing in September and October.


The main mountain chain is Serra da Estrela, an extension of the Spanish Sierras da Gata, Gredos and Guadarrama. The highest point of Portugal is 1,991 m.

The Portuguese coasts show an alternation of rocky promontories and wide sandy bays.
Most of the rivers descend from the mountains. The largest is Douro which crosses northern Portugal from east to west. The Mondego flows though Coimbra. The Tagus follows the Spanish frontier for a while and then crosses central Portugal to enter the sea in a long estuary on which Lisbon is situated.


You should not rush to explore Portugal, indeed, Portuguese talk of their nation as a land of "brandos costumes" or gentle customs or ways. (Be careful with false friends like costumes which have an English equivalent that is not the same thing. :-)

Culture

While it is geographically small, Portugal has a tremendous cultural and social diversity. Highly sophisticated resorts dot the Lisbon and Estremaduran coast, drawing thousands of European tourists for the past fifty years. Lisbon maintains its old-fashion look and feel while integrating thoroughly modern amenities. When you are in the farmlands of the Alentejo, the mountainous Beiras, or northern Trás-os-Montes you will see people living as though Portugal is a old world, undeveloped country.

Language

Portuguese is an international language--the sixth most widely spoken language in the world, with approximately two hundred million speakers of Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken in:

1. Europe (Portugal); 
2. South America (Brazil); 
3. Africa (Cape Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique); 
4. Asia (Macau, a territory of China, 
5. Indian State of Goa, and East Timor).

You can have a wonderful time in Portugal, you will love the food and people are so nice.

Capital, Currency and Language of London

London  for a long time was a small city and people lived inside the walls that were built by the Romans.
It became Capitol in the 12th century. Today, it is a vibrant economic center with vast diversification in its population and the capital of one of the world's leading economies. Ironically, England's past as a colonial power led to its diversification. Today immigrants from colonies in Africa, the Middle-East, Asia, and the America's add to the population that descended from Celtic, Saxon and French roots.

Currency in London is pounds. The debate over conversion to the Euro has raged in UK politics for years, but the Sterling has held on. When viewed against the backdrop of the turmoil in the Euro and the precipitous drop in value relative to the dollar, the "Save the Sterling" advocates feel very vindicated. The United Kingdom has nixed the Euro. But not to worry, you can still exchange them at local banks and even some stores.

Language is The King's English - somewhat different than American English, not just in pronunciation; but, also in word selection. As an example, if you want to tell someone you will call them, you "ring them up/" If you feel someone is misleading you, what they say is "rubbish." 

Then the slang, check some of these out!


Arse - This is a word that doesn't seem to exist in America. It basically means the same as ass, but is much ruder. It is used in phrases like "pain in the arse" (a nuisance) or I "can't be arsed" (I can't be bothered) or you might hear something was "a half arsed attempt" meaning that it was not done properly.

Bang - Nothing to do with your hair - this is a rather unattractive way of describing having sex. Always gets a smile from Brits in American hair dressers when they are asked about their bangs. 

Bloody - One of the most useful swear words in English. Mostly used as an exclamation of surprise i.e. "bloody hell". Something may be "bloody marvellous" or "bloody awful". It is also used to emphasize almost anything, "you're bloody mad", "not bloody likely" and can also be used in the middle of other words to emphasise them. E.g. "Abso-bloody-lutely"! Americans should avoid saying "bloody" as they sound silly.
 

Dodgy - If someone or something is a bit dodgy, it is not to be trusted. Dodgy food should be thrown away at home, or sent back in a restaurant. Dodgy people are best avoided. You never know what they are up to. Dodgy goods may have been nicked. When visiting Miami I was advised by some English chums that certain areas were a bit dodgy and should be avoided!
 
Mate - Most chaps like to go to the pub with their mates. Mate means friend or chum.

Pissed - This is a great one for misunderstanding. Most people go to the pub to get pissed. In fact the object of a stag night is to get as pissed as possible. Getting pissed means getting drunk. It does not mean getting angry. That would be getting pissed off!

Quid - A pound in money is called a quid. It is the equivalent to the buck or clam in America. A five pound note is called a fiver and a ten pound note is called a tenner.
 
Rubbish - The stuff we put in the bin. Trash or garbage to you. You might also accuse someone of talking rubbish.


Sod - This word has many uses. My father always used to say "Oh Sod!" or "Sod it!" if something went wrong and he didn't want to swear too badly in front of the children. If someone is a sod or an "old sod" then it means they are a bit of a bastard or an old git. "Sod off" is like saying "piss off" or "get lost" & "sod you" means something like "f*** off". It also means a chunk of lawn of course. You can usually tell the difference!



Hope you had some good laughs and enjoyed.

Paris continues....( Language )

The country's official language is French. Only at tourist sites the employees will speak English but not the rest of the city, so it would be helpful if you spoke some French and carry a dictionary with you.
Remember, you can also download an app with common French words on your I Phone or Android.

If you do speak some French try to speak slowly and clear, in the beginning it seems like they speak too fast for us and we can't understand. Before you leave for your trip it would be helpful to read this book, "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull, very interesting and well written.