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Location
Central Europe.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
93,030 sq km (35,919 sq miles).
Population
10 million (official estimate 2007).
Population Density
107.5 per sq km.
Capital
Budapest. Population: 1.7 million (2007).
Geography
Hungary is situated in Central Europe, sharing borders to the north with the Slovak Republic, to the northeast with Ukraine, to the east with Romania, to the south with Croatia and Serbia and to the west with Austria and Slovenia. There are several ranges of hills, chiefly in the north and west. The Great Plain (Nagyalföld) stretches east from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, to the mountains of Transylvania in Romania, and south to the Fruska Gora range in Croatia. Lake Balaton is the largest unbroken stretch of inland water in Central Europe.
EU
Member since 2004.
Government
Republic.
Head of State
President Laszlo Solymon since 2005.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany since 2004.
Recent History
In May 2002, the Hungarian Socialist Party (Magyar Szocialista Part, MSzP) came to power. There have been a few re-shuffles in parliament since then, most recently when opposition-backed Laszlo Solymon was chosen as the next president, after the Socialists' candidate was blocked - but the coalition survived and won the April 2006 general election. This was the first time a government had been re-elected since the restoration of democracy in 1990.
Hungary became a member of NATO in 1999 and joined the EU in 2004. Hungary has also joined with the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovak Republic in the Visegrad group, which promotes political and economic co-operation in central Europe. In September 2006 Budapest was engulfed in demonstrations, as Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admitted that he had lied to voters about the state of Hungary's economy. Police again battled protestors in October 2007 during the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian anti-Soviet uprising.
Hungary became a member of NATO in 1999 and joined the EU in 2004. Hungary has also joined with the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovak Republic in the Visegrad group, which promotes political and economic co-operation in central Europe. In September 2006 Budapest was engulfed in demonstrations, as Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admitted that he had lied to voters about the state of Hungary's economy. Police again battled protestors in October 2007 during the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian anti-Soviet uprising.
Language
Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language. German and English are widely spoken by the older and younger generation respectively. Some French is also spoken, mainly in western Hungary.
Religion
52% Roman Catholic, 16% Calvinist, 3% Lutheran. Christian, Eastern Orthodox and Jewish minorities.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used.
Social Conventions
In general Hungary has embraced modern living, although the older generation still preserves their traditions and culture, particularly in small villages. When meeting a Hungarian, handshaking is customary and both their Christian name and surname should be used. Normal courtesies should be observed. At a meal, toasts are usually made and should be returned. A useful word is egészségünkre (pronounced ay-gash-ay-gun-gre), meaning ‘your health'. A knowledge of German can prove useful. Gifts such as flowers or a bottle of wine are acceptable for hosts as a token of thanks, particularly when invited for a meal. Smoking is prohibited on public transport in towns and public buildings. Travellers may smoke on long-distance trains.