QUICK LINKS: Hungary Guide - Hungary Discussion Forum - Hungary Property Listings

TIP: Want to use the forums? Register your account here!

Capital: Budapest

Population: 10,006,835 (July 2005 est.)

Languages: Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

Religions: Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census)

Currency: forint (HUF)

Timezone: GMT+1

Hungary is situated in central Europe. It is a landlocked country and has borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. Previously a communist state, it now has a vibrant market economy, with high levels of foreign ownership and investment and strong economic growth rates. Hungary acceded to the EU in May 2004.

Geographically, much of the country is low-lying, with the 'Great Plain' to the east of the country, and the 'Little Plain' in the northwest. There is a wild, mountainous region in the northeast, and the hilly Transdanubia region in the west and south-west. The Danube and Tisza rivers divide the country into thirds. Hungary has over 1000 lakes, including Europe's biggest freshwater lake, Balaton, which has many thermal springs.

Hungary has a rich historical past, having been part of the Ottoman, the Hapsburg and the Austro-Hungarian Empires. It has a rich cultural heritage, being particularly renewed for its classical and folk music. It is also known famed for its healing thermal springs, and there are many resort spas throughout the country.