Why Hungary | Facts About Hungary
Name: Hungarian Republic
Location: East-Central Europe (borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraina, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia)
Area: 93,030 square km
Population: 10,300,000 (21 percent under 14 and 60 percent between 15-59)
Density of population: 110 (per square km)
Form of government: Republic (parliamentary democracy - 4 year election periods)
Capital: Budapest (2 million inhabitants)
Number of counties: 19
Number of towns: 169
Number of villages: 2,904
Climate: Continental with Mediterranean and Atlantic influences
Average temperatures: January -2C (28F), July 23C (73F)
Language: Hungarian (a very special language, originating from the Finnougric tribe of languages)
Currency:Actual USD/HUF exchange rate
Religion: Roman Catholic (majority), Protestant, Jewish
Urban population ratio: 60 percent
Population increment: -0.1 percent (decreasing!)
Life expectancy: men 66, women 74 (decreasing!!!)
Local time: in the winter GMT+1 hour, in the summer GMT+2 hours (same as in West Europe)
International country phone code: 36
In addition to the more than 10 million Hungarians in Hungary, there are almost 5 million living in other countries who declare themselves as Hungarians.
Links:
Hungary on the Wikipedia
Visit Budapest website
Hungary general information
- After two decades of political change, Hungary has undergone a significant social metamorphosis.
- Hungary has been a full member of the EU since 2004.
- Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc Airport has been transformed into one of the busiest and up to date airports in the region.
- English language is commonly spoken, particularly in hotels and restaurants.
- The service and safety infrastructure of Hungary/Budapest is safe and well organized.
- Up to date telephone and internet systems.
- Hotels include Four Seasons, Marriott, Sofitel, Royal Corithian, Hilton, Novotel etc.
- Budapest offers a wide variety of international stores and impressive shopping centers, and is also known for it’s beautiful spas.
- The Hungarian legal system is similar to, and all major laws conform to those of other EU countries.
- There are no visa obligations for US, UK and other EU citizens.
- Foreign workers require a work permit only after 90 days, which can be arranged through a simple administrative process.
- International credit cards are welcome in most places.
- Most major EU banks can be found in Hungary: City bank, BNP Paribas, Raiffeisen, Unicredit, CIB Bank, Erste, etc.
The major insurance companies have branches in Hungary, including Allianz insurance.
Money currency
The Hungarian currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), in the stores this is the only currency to be accepted. Euro is not an official currency in Hungary, yet. The usual banking hours are from 8.00 AM till 4.00 PM every weekdays, at weekends banks are closed. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available in most of the public places for examples in all hotels, railway stations, airports and many can be found on the streets, too. Credit cards (mostly Euro/Mastercard, VISA, Diners Club, AMEX, En Route, JCB) are widely used in hotels, restaurants and in shops. You can always see the logo of the accepted cards at the entrance of these places. The units that accept Eurochecks display the EC logo. Remember, you can only cash 3 Eurochecks at a time.
Links:
The central bank of Hungary
National and Bank Holidays in Hungary
- 1st of January - New Year's Eve
- 15th of March
- Eastern Monday
- 1st of May - Labour Day
- Whit Monday
- 20th of August
- 23rd of October
- 1st of November - All Saints
- 25th and 26th of December - Christmas
Links:
www.filolog.com/crosscultureHolidays.html