HungaryCOMENIUS SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP MEETING

Bolu, Turkey 27-29 November 2008

Short historical background

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Budapest

the old castle overlooks the city

Budapest by night with the Duna in the foreground and the Citadella in the back

the Hungarian parliament by night

the „Chain Bridge" illuminated with hundreds of lamps

the Hungarian parliament by day

Area: total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km

Land boundaries: total: 2,171 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m

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

Ethnic groups: Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (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)

Lake Balaton

Central Europe's largest freshwater lake, some 60 miles southwest of Budapest, is Hungary's number one vacation resort and a major wine-producing region.

Hungary is extremely rich in thermal waters, its thermal water reserve is significant on a world scale and on European scale it is outstanding. Currently there are more than a thousand wells in Hungary that give + 30°C hot water most of which is medicinal water. Medicinal waters can be found in almost all regions of Hungary about three-quarters of the wells are located in the Great Hungarian Plain.  

There are 150 hot water spa baths.

For decades Budapest has been enjoying the name "the world's spa capital"

Hévíz spa bath

Zalakaros spa bath

Hungary is known for its exotic, tasty and spicy food and delicious wine.

Pepsi Island Music Festival

The Pepsi Island Festival, takes place at the beginning of every August, is the biggest musical and cultural event in Central Europe: eight hundred programs, thirty venues, and this year three hundred thousand visitors are expected.

Thank you for your attention!

Come to visit Hungary! You are always welcomed!