ABOUT HUNGARY AND BUDAPEST

Hungary

The Republic of Hungary is situated in Central Europe. The country covers an area of less than 100 000 square km and it has roughly 10 million inhabitants, who speak the unique language of Hungarian which is not used anywhere else in the world.
Hungary has become a full member of the European Union on 1st May, 2004.
In the year of 2000 the nation celebrated the thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian State. Since the time of the state founder King Saint Stephan, Hungary had to go through several repeated trials and tribulations besides its golden eras, but it could stay on its feet despite its stormy history. Today, Hungary is one of the most popular destinations of visitors who wish to encounter this beautiful country with its natural, historical, cultural and gastronomic attractions.

Budapest

What does Budapest look like? - you may ask. In a word or two: exciting, surprising. Ancient history and recent past, charm and elegance come together to make up the capital, home of two million people. Budapest was born in 1873 when three separate cities Pest, Buda, Óbuda were unified.
The city is divided by the River Danube in a north-south axis into two parts: Pest and Buda, which gives the main characteristic of the capital. The twin cities of Buda and Pest contain homogenous parts of different building periods such as vestiges of the Roman occupation, the prestigious Castle District preserved in Romanesque and Gothic style, the rigour of the Habsburg Citadel, the eclecticism of the turn-of-the century buildings boasting the richness of the new citizens. The flat east bank is Pest, being the part mainly representing the 19th century with the Parliament, the Heroes' Square, the Andrássy Boulvard and also known as the dynamic administrative and business centre of the country. The hilly west bank is Buda being old historical part of the metropolis, celebrates two thousands years of human history since the land was already a province of the Roman Empire. Because of its cosmopolitan flair, Budapest is called "Paris of Eastern Europe" as well. It is a city where the pleasing harmony of different architectural styles and superb structures, the cafés, gastronomy and culture are combined with legendary hospitality blend into an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Budapest is the only capital in the world with more than 100 active thermal springs and fountains. Among them there are still operating Turkish baths: bath of Rudas and the King bath.
Wine making in Hungary has a glorious history: Hungarian wines have been drunk in the civilised world for centuries maintaining Hungary's position as the third senior wine producing country in Europe.
Some fall in love with Budapest at first sight, others will only become devotees after a longer stay, but no-one denies that it is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world.
Come and discover Budapest, the "Pearl of the Danube"!