India

How many people speak English: 12% (which, in India, is a lot of people)

What it's like as an English speaker: India's conversational landscape is unbelievably diverse, with 22 major languages and a staggering 720-some dialects. Hindi and English are both official languages, and you're likely to hear the latter spoken fluently everywhere -- and truth be told, it does sound amazing in a charmed lilting accent. You'll have very little trouble communicating with locals, especially in big cities. Even in backwoods villages, you may be surprised -- for example, gassing up your motorbike at some highway stop and asking the station attendant for directions. He'll give you in-depth instructions, from all the turns right down to the number of kilometers.

What India has to offer: India's diversity doesn't stop at its rambling list of dialects and languages. Every region has its own unique landscape, cuisine, and pastiche of social, cultural, and religious norms. Goa's famous for its gorgeous beaches and spicy dishes from Portuguese influence. Ladakh has its mesmerizing rocky outcrops, fresh mountain air, and spiritual vibes. Kerala's covered in dreamy backwaters and churches -- Syrian Christians settled here thousands of years ago. Seriously, no wonder Indians spend so much time being tourists within their own country. There's a lot to explore.

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