Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe covering a total of 93,030km² (35,919 miles²) with a population density of about 110.5 per km². The Magyar people who populate it have endured invasion from the East and the West and yet have survived with their national identity intact. Their small country, Hungary (Magyarország), is situated on the border between East and West and preserves the best (the unhurried life of the Eastern bloc paired with an outstanding cultural bounty that easily rivals that of the West) as well as the worst (an uncompetitive economy and a proliferation of fast food outlets) of both worlds. Life is not easy for most of the roughly 11 million Magyars, with unemployment standing at between 10 and 20% and an average monthly salary of about USD 200.00. Yet this country is a pleasure to visit, with friendly locals and inexpensive accommodation and transport.
Hungary welcomes the visitor with a surprising and unique array of sites, sounds and experiences. Dine on sumptuous goulash with gypsy violins playing in the background. Spend a night in a palace. Stroll along the cafe lined avenues of aristocratic Budapest. Travel over the broad expanse of the Hungarian plain encountering villages that seem lost in time. Cruise down the Danube or watch the merriment of a traditional village wedding. Hungary has so much to offer!
Capital: Budapest
Population: 10, 687,000
Area: 35, 899 square miles
Language: Hungarian. German is understood by many. english and French may be understood by some in the western area of Hungary.
Time: GMT + 1
Electricity: 200 Volts AC, 50 Hz
Geography: Hungary is a landlocked country which is bordered by the Slovak Republic to the north the Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia and Serbia to the south and Slovenia and Austria to the west. Lake Balaton is the largest body of water in central Europe. MOst of the hill country is in the north and the west. The Carpathian Mountains run from the Ukraine along the border for some distance with Romania. The Steppes of Hungary run the Danube to the southern border in the western half of the country.
International Airport:
Budapest - The Ferihegy Airport (BUD) is 10 miles from downtown Budapest. Be very careful to find out which terminal you are using as not all airlines use the same terminals which are several miles apart. This can cause severe problems. Regular bus service and taxis are available to Budapest. Payments can only be in Hungarian Forints.
Tipping: Service is often not included in restaurant bills so tipping is encouraged. 10 -15% is recommended. Best to leave small change for chambermaids in hotels
Shopping: Shops are open from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Friday. On Saturdays shops are open from 10 until 1 pm. Porcelain and embroidery are popular items to purchase.
Food and Drink: Hungarian foods are a delight. You can hardy pronounce many of the names but they are great anyway. Best known, perhaps, is goulash soup which really is a varies soup which can serve as a starter or a whole meal. It is usually very filling. Halaszle ( fish soup ) is quite good and uses fish which usually come from local streams or lakes. Stuffed vegetables are very common. The pastries are usually very sweet, so watch yourself.
Social: Hungarians are very friendly. Most do not know English so you will not be able to freely communicate with most. They use handshaking at greeting and use both first and last names in conversation ( i.e. they will address you as Adam Smith rather than Mr. Smith or Adam). Best to travel with a few words of Hungarian available to help with directions.
Business: Business cards in Hungarian are essential. English is not well known in Hungary except in hotels and tourist spots frequented by those who speak English. German is understood by many. Russian is understood by almost everyone but will refuse to speak it. Business attire should be smart and not dowdy. Hungarian flair for fashion never mixed well with Stalinist concepts of taste. Anticipate that you will be invited to lunch or dinner. Do not take liquid refreshment until your host has done so first.
Climate
Summers tend to be very warm and at times little rain. Spring and fall are ideal with temperatures being rather mild with gentle winds. Wintertime is usually very cold and raw. | 