HungaryHungary

Hungary is a beautiful small Hungary is a beautiful small country in Central Europecountry in Central Europe

Republic of HungaryRepublic of Hungary

Hungary borders on Slovakia in the north, on Ukraine in the Hungary borders on Slovakia in the north, on Ukraine in the northeast, on Romania in the east, on Slovenia, Croatia, and northeast, on Romania in the east, on Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia in the south, and on Austria in the west. Serbia in the south, and on Austria in the west.

Historical backgroundHistorical background

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

Hungary in figuresHungary in figures

• Country name:Country name: Republic of Hungary • Total aTotal area:rea: 93,030 sq km• Landlocked – no coastlineLandlocked – no coastline• Literacy:Literacy: total population: 99.4% • Government type:Government type: parliamentary democracy • Legal system:system: rule of law based on Western model • CurrencyCurrency: : forint (HUF) • GDP - per capita:GDP - per capita: $14,900 • Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate: 5.9% (2004 est.) • Inflation rateInflation rate: : 7% (2004 est.) • Industries:Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed

foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

The official language of The official language of Hungary is HungarianHungary is Hungarian

The country has a population The country has a population of 10 million peopleof 10 million people

Has four distinctive seasonsHas four distinctive seasons

PoliticsPolitics

The highest organ of state authority is The highest organ of state authority is the National Assembly with almost 400 the National Assembly with almost 400 members that initiates and approves members that initiates and approves

legislation with the support of the legislation with the support of the prime minister. National parliamentary prime minister. National parliamentary elections are held every 4 years. While elections are held every 4 years. While the president of the Republic is elected the president of the Republic is elected

every 5 years and only plays every 5 years and only plays ceremonial roles.ceremonial roles.

Has one of the greatest Has one of the greatest capitalcapitalss in the world with in the world with

2 million inhabitants2 million inhabitants

Budapest was home to Budapest was home to Continental Europe's first Continental Europe's first

subway system, which subway system, which opened in 1896opened in 1896

Budapest has many impressive Budapest has many impressive bridgesbridges

Of which the Chain Of which the Chain bridge is the most bridge is the most

famous built in 1849famous built in 1849

Magnificent architectureMagnificent architecture

There are several There are several gorgeous gorgeous historicalhistorical towns in Hungary towns in Hungary

……mmany small villages, rolling hills any small villages, rolling hills andand beautiful countryside beautiful countryside

Has Has the largest lake in the largest lake in Central Central Europe: Europe: Lake Lake BalatonBalaton

Which is also a very famous Which is also a very famous

wine producing provincewine producing province

Hungary is known for its wines, Hungary is known for its wines, especially the sweet wines of especially the sweet wines of

the Tokay region.the Tokay region.

Foods of the HungariansFoods of the HungariansThe best-known ingredient in Hungarian food is the The best-known ingredient in Hungarian food is the red-powdered spice called paprika. It is used to red-powdered spice called paprika. It is used to flavor many dishes. Other staples of Hungarian flavor many dishes. Other staples of Hungarian cooking include onions, cabbage, potatoes, noodles, cooking include onions, cabbage, potatoes, noodles, and caraway seeds. Both cream and sour cream are and caraway seeds. Both cream and sour cream are used heavily in Hungarian food. used heavily in Hungarian food. Hungarians eat a lot of meat, mostly pork or beef. Hungarians eat a lot of meat, mostly pork or beef. The Hungarian national dish is meat stewThe Hungarian national dish is meat stew, called , called "goulash„"goulash„The Hungarians are known throughout the world for The Hungarians are known throughout the world for their elegant pastries and cakes. Strudel (retes)their elegant pastries and cakes. Strudel (retes) is is one of them and theirone of them and their fillings include apples, fillings include apples, cherries, and poppy seeds.cherries, and poppy seeds.

  HEALTHHEALTH

Hungary is famous for its abundance of Hungary is famous for its abundance of thermal and medicinal waters and as a thermal and medicinal waters and as a consequence there are many hotels consequence there are many hotels and clinics specialising in health and clinics specialising in health treatments. treatments.

Hungary has a spa culture dating back Hungary has a spa culture dating back over 2000 years and was even popular over 2000 years and was even popular during Roman times. during Roman times.

Medicinal water is mineral water Medicinal water is mineral water having been shown to produce curative having been shown to produce curative effectseffects..

Hungary is a major center for the Hungary is a major center for the promotion of natural well being. promotion of natural well being.

ItIt is a center for medical excellence is a center for medical excellence with many specialist hospitals, with many specialist hospitals, including one of the most respected including one of the most respected

specialist Heart Centres in Europe.specialist Heart Centres in Europe.

TThe largest religion in Hungary is Roman Catholicism (50% of he largest religion in Hungary is Roman Catholicism (50% of the population), with a significant Calvinist minority the population), with a significant Calvinist minority

(16% of the population) and smaller Lutheran (3%) and Greek (16% of the population) and smaller Lutheran (3%) and Greek Catholic (3%) minorities.Catholic (3%) minorities.

However, these census figures are representative However, these census figures are representative of religious affiliation rather than practice; of religious affiliation rather than practice; only only an an estimated 10-14% of Hungarians attend religious estimated 10-14% of Hungarians attend religious

servicesservices on a regular basis on a regular basis

Impressive churchesImpressive churches

Beautiful castles from the pastBeautiful castles from the past

Fine Hungarian UniversitiesFine Hungarian Universities

ELTE, Debreceni, BME, Szegedi es PecsiELTE, Debreceni, BME, Szegedi es Pecsi

Hungary is very famous for Hungary is very famous for its excellent mathematics its excellent mathematics

education which has trained education which has trained numerous outstanding numerous outstanding

scientists.scientists.

Famous Hungarian inventorsFamous Hungarian inventors

Asboth OszkarAsboth Oszkar EngEngiineer, invented the first neer, invented the first purposefullypurposefully flying helicopterflying helicopter. His helicopter was . His helicopter was the first, which was able to elevate vertically with a the first, which was able to elevate vertically with a pilot and to stay and levitate in one place for a pilot and to stay and levitate in one place for a longer timelonger time in 1928 in 1928. .

A Hungarian journalist named A Hungarian journalist named LaLaszszlo lo BiroBiro, created the first , created the first ballpoint penballpoint pen in in 1938. Biro noticed the type of ink used in 1938. Biro noticed the type of ink used in newspaper printing presses dried quickly newspaper printing presses dried quickly leaving the paper dry and smudge free. leaving the paper dry and smudge free.

Dr. TellerDr. Teller Ede Ede is most widely known for is most widely known for his significant contributions to the first his significant contributions to the first demonstration of demonstration of thermonuclear energythermonuclear energy; ; in addition he has added to knowledge in addition he has added to knowledge about quantum theory, molecular about quantum theory, molecular physics and astrophysics physics and astrophysics

EErnrnoo Rubik Rubik is the inventor of the is the inventor of the world famous world famous Rubik's CubeRubik's Cube. This . This game highly increases logical game highly increases logical abilities and conquered the world abilities and conquered the world fast.fast.

Denes GaborDenes Gabor, p, physician anhysician andd electro-engelectro-engiineer. From 1927 he neer. From 1927 he worked for Siemens and Halske as a worked for Siemens and Halske as a researcher. In 1971 he got the Nobel researcher. In 1971 he got the Nobel prize for discovering prize for discovering holographyholography. .

Irinyi Janos,Irinyi Janos, Chemist, he solved Chemist, he solved the puzzle of making the puzzle of making silent silent matchesmatches. He wrote several articles . He wrote several articles on chemistry and published his on chemistry and published his textbook for schools entitled The textbook for schools entitled The Elements of Chemistry. Elements of Chemistry.

Puskas TivadarPuskas Tivadar For two years he had worked For two years he had worked in Edison's laboratory as his colleauge, then in Edison's laboratory as his colleauge, then went to Paris, where he designed an went to Paris, where he designed an electric electric cab and airshipcab and airship. In 1879 . In 1879 he built Europe's first he built Europe's first telephone exchangetelephone exchange in Paris.His other in Paris.His other important invention was the telephonograph, important invention was the telephonograph, predecessor of the wired radio. predecessor of the wired radio.

Szent-Gyorgyi AlbertSzent-Gyorgyi Albert, , Biochemist.In 1937 he Biochemist.In 1937 he received the Nobel Prize in physiology and medical received the Nobel Prize in physiology and medical science for "discoveries in the area of biological science for "discoveries in the area of biological combustion processes, particularly in regard to combustion processes, particularly in regard to

vitamin Cvitamin C, and the fumaric acid catalysis"., and the fumaric acid catalysis".

• Chemistry: 5Chemistry: 5• Physiology/Medicine:4Physiology/Medicine:4• Physics: 3Physics: 3• Ecomomics: 3Ecomomics: 3• Peace: 2Peace: 2• Literature: 1Literature: 1

In total: 18 prizesIn total: 18 prizes

A remarkable number of A remarkable number of NobelNobel prizes have been prizes have been awarded to people of awarded to people of Hungarian Hungarian background... background...

The "Brain Drain" is The "Brain Drain" is particularly evident particularly evident here as most of these here as most of these winners received this winners received this distinction as nationals distinction as nationals of other countries.of other countries.   

Nobel Prize Winners & Nobel Prize Winners & Famous HungariansFamous Hungarians

Famous Hungarian quotesFamous Hungarian quotes

• `Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and `Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought` (Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, thinking what nobody has thought` (Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Hungarian Biochemist's quotes)Hungarian Biochemist's quotes)

• `Clear thinking requires courage rather than intelligence` `Clear thinking requires courage rather than intelligence` (Thomas S. Szasz, Hungarian psychiatrist's quotes)(Thomas S. Szasz, Hungarian psychiatrist's quotes)

• The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget` (Thomas S. Szasz)forget; the wise forgive but do not forget` (Thomas S. Szasz)

• People often say that this or that person has not yet found People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.`one creates.`

• There's no sense in being precise when you don`t even know There's no sense in being precise when you don`t even know what you're talking about.`what you're talking about.`

• The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.` (Edward The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.` (Edward Teller quotes)Teller quotes)

Facts that not many Facts that not many people knowpeople know

Famous people with Famous people with

Hungarian originsHungarian origins

……and a few more Hungarian and a few more Hungarian images at lastimages at last

CountrysideCountryside

City lifeCity life

Hope you enjoyedHope you enjoyed