Hungary, officially known as the Republic of Hungary, is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It has a population of approximately 9.8 million people and covers an area of 93,030 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Budapest.

Hungary has a rich cultural history and is famous for its architecture, music, literature, and cuisine. The country's architectural style is characterized by its distinctive mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences. One of Hungary's most famous landmarks is the Parliament Building in Budapest, which is the largest building in Hungary and the third-largest parliament building in the world.

Hungarian cuisine is known for its hearty stews, soups, and meat dishes, often featuring paprika as a primary spice. Traditional Hungarian dishes include goulash, chicken paprikash, and stuffed peppers.

Hungary is also known for its thermal baths and hot springs, which have been enjoyed for centuries for their relaxing and therapeutic properties. The country is home to numerous thermal baths, including the famous Gellért Baths in Budapest.

The official language of Hungary is Hungarian, which is a Finno-Ugric language spoken by approximately 13 million people worldwide. English and German are also widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.

Hungary is a member of the European Union and uses the Hungarian forint as its currency. The country has a well-developed transportation system, with trains, buses, and domestic flights connecting major cities and towns. The country also has a rich network of bike paths, making it a popular destination for cyclists.

Tourism is an important industry in Hungary, with visitors coming to experience the country's history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary include Budapest, Lake Balaton, the historic city of Pécs, and the wine regions of Tokaj and Eger.

Telephone Code
36

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Currency (Code)
Forints (HUF)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Hungarian, English, German, Russian, Romanian, French

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%

Potable Water
Yes, in the major cities

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Benedictine Abbey in Tihany; Caves of Lillafüred; Eger Castle; Visegrad Royal Palace; Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Pecs; Budapest (includes Parliament Building, Buda Castle District, Hungarian National Museum, Millennium Monument in Heroes Square); Soporon; Esztergom Basilica; Aggtelek National Park

Major Sports
Soccer, swimming, fencing, athletics (track and field)

Cultural Practices
Chocolates and flowers are common gifts when invited to a Hungarian household, while wine is less common.

Tipping Guidelines
For restaurants, it is customary to tip 10-15% of the total bill. Gas station and public washroom attendants expect a 100-200 forints tip. Tip taxi drivers 10% of the fare. Bellhops appreciate 500 forint to carry bags to your room.

Souvenirs
Paprika and other food items including salami and goose liver; wine and liqueurs; embroidery; pottery and porcelain and ceramic figurines; crystal; goose down items; natural herbal remedies; wooden sculptures

Traditional Cuisine
Goulash — a spicy tomato-and-paprika-based stew of beef, noodles, potatoes, and other vegetables

Geography
Area
total: 93,028 sq km
land: 89,608 sq km
water: 3,420 sq km

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

Natural resources
bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

People and Society
Population
9,670,009 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Hungarian 85.6%, Romani 3.2%, German 1.9%, other 2.6%, unspecified 14.1% (2011 est.)

Languages
Hungarian (official) 99.6%, English 16%, German 11.2%, Russian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, French 1.2%, other 4.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Hungarian is the mother tongue of 98.9% of Hungarian speakers (2011 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other 1.9%, none 18.2%, no response 27.2% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
-0.31% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Budapest

Economy
Economic overview
high-income EU and OECD economy; decreasing government spending; increasing judicial independence concerns; flat income taxation; increasingly dependent on energy imports; strong tourism and automotive manufacturing

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$326.186 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$33,600 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, barley, rapeseed, sugar beets, apples, pork, grapes

Industries
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Exports
$148.229 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 27%, Romania 5%, Italy 5%, Slovakia 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, spark-ignition engines, video displays, broadcasting equipment (2019)

Imports
$147.577 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 25%, China 6%, Poland 6%, Austria 6%, Czechia 5%, Slovakia 5%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, crude petroleum (2019)