HUNGARY Brief country introduction

General introduction Hungary (in Hungarian, Magyarország) is located in central Europe, bordered by Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. It can be separated into three major geographic areas: the Great Plain, covering the central part of the nation, the Transdanube in the west, and the Northern Hills along the northern border. The capital and the largest city is Budapest.

Map of Hungary The total area of the country is 93 sq km and has a population of 10 million people. The total area of the country is 93 sq km and has a population of 10 million people.

Some important points Largest cities: Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc,Szeged Largest cities: Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc,Szeged Biggest lake: Lake Balaton Biggest lake: Lake Balaton Currency: Hungarian Forint Currency: Hungarian Forint National holiday: St Stephan day, 20th August National holiday: St Stephan day, 20th August Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.

Budapest Our capital, Budapest is the economical and political centre of the country. It's no exaggeration to say that it is one of the finest capital cities in Europe. Budapest is diveded by the Danube into 2 parts: Buda and Pest. It has a population of around 2 million people.

Budapest is a lively metropolis and most of the Hungarian universitries and high schools can also be found here. The main attractions that tourists definetily shouldnt miss are the following: Margaret Island, St Stephans Basilica, City park, Parliament, Heroes Square, Fishermans Bastion, Castle District, Opera House, Széchenyi Spa.

Other cities Besides Budapest, other beautiful cities can be found all round the counrty, for example: Szeged, the capital of the Great Plain, is world famous for its paprika and salami (Pick Szalami), Szeged is also home to one of Hungary's major universities. Szeged, the capital of the Great Plain, is world famous for its paprika and salami (Pick Szalami), Szeged is also home to one of Hungary's major universities. Pécs is the largest and loveliest city in the Mecsek Hill region. Known as the "2,000-year-old city," Pécs was a major settlement in Roman times, when it was called Sopianae. It was later the site of Hungary's first university, founded in Pécs is the largest and loveliest city in the Mecsek Hill region. Known as the "2,000-year-old city," Pécs was a major settlement in Roman times, when it was called Sopianae. It was later the site of Hungary's first university, founded in 1367.

Gastronomy We Hungarians are famed for our cuisine. Paprika powder and onion give a characteristic taste to most of our famous dishes.Some of the best knowns are goulash, stuffed cabbage, pörkölt, fish soup, chicken paprikash, chicken soup a la Újházy, bean soup a la Jókai and letcho. We Hungarians are famed for our cuisine. Paprika powder and onion give a characteristic taste to most of our famous dishes.Some of the best knowns are goulash, stuffed cabbage, pörkölt, fish soup, chicken paprikash, chicken soup a la Újházy, bean soup a la Jókai and letcho.

Gastronomy- drinks Hungary is among the worlds top 25 wine-making countries. Our 22 wine regions differ widely in size, location and the character of their wines, but in each one can find those types and traditions which over long centuries have determined production. The most famous ones are: Bulls Blood of Eger and Szekszárd, and Tokays aszú, the king of wines and wine of kings. Pálinka is a traditional part of Hungarian hospitality, so no visitor of Hungary should even dream of escaping a tot!