Hungary, the European Union tops the agenda
Facts and figures
. Official name: Hungary
. Surface area: 93,032 km2
. Capital: Budapest (population: 1.8 million)
. Language: Hungarian (Finno-Ugrian). German and English are the most widely spoken
foreign languages
. Currency: the forint
. Bordered by Slovakia and the Ukraine to the north, Romania to the east, Yugoslavia,
Croatia and Slovenia to the south and Austria to the west
. Highest peak: Mount Kékes (1,014 m). Only 2% of the land is higher than
400 m above sea level. Plains cover two-thirds of Hungary and forests 19%
. Hungary is irrigated by two major rivers and a large lake: 428 km of the Danube
flows through Hungary and the Tisza flows through 597 km of the east of the country;
Lake Balaton, with a surface area of 600 km2 (74 km long and 8 km wide), is the
largest lake in Europe
. Climate: continental climate tempered by maritime influences. Cold winters (-10°C
to 0°C). Hot and dry summers (20°C to 35 °C)
. GMT +1
. Population: 10.1 million (March 2003). 17.09% of the Hungarian population in
under 15, 63.26% is aged 15 to 59, and 19.65% is over 60. Women make up 52.3%
of the population and men 47.7%
. Life expectancy: 67 for men and 76 for women (2001)
. Population density: 110 inhabitants/km2
. 18% of the population lives in Budapest
. Population growth: 0.48%
. Main cities: Miskolc (184,129 inhabitants), Debrecen (211,038), Pécs
(162,502), Szeged (168,276), Györ (129,415)
. Urbanisation: 64%
. Population: Hungary has a homogeneous population: 90% is of Hungarian origin.
The minorities include Gypsies (500,000), Germans (200,000), Slovaks (110,000),
Croats (80,000) and Romanians (25,000), making up 8% of the total population
. Religion: 69% Catholic, 25% Protestant and 1% Jewish
. Hungarian diaspora: 5 million people
System of government
- Unicameral parliamentary government
- The National Assembly (386 seats) is elected for four years by a mixed system
of direct and proportional representation
- The National Assembly elects the president of the republic, members of the constitutional
court, the president of the supreme court, the chief prosecutor and the president
of the Hungarian central bank for five years
- The prime minister is appointed by the president according to the results of
the legislative elections. He then forms his government, which must then be endorsed
by the National Assembly
- After the elections of 15 May 2002, the following parties held seats in the
National Assembly: Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), 46.11%; Federation of Young
Democrats – Hungarian Civic Party (FIDESZ-MPP), 42.49%; Hungarian Democratic
Forum (MDF), 6.22%; Alliance of Free Democrats (SzDSz), 4.92%; MSZP/SZDSZ, 0.26%,
. Administrative structure: Hungary’s administrative structure, set by a
1990 law, is based on the French model. Hungary comprises 252 cities, 2,883 communes,
including 2,800 with less than 5,000 inhabitants and 19 counties in addition to
the capital
International relations: Hungary has been a member of the United Nations
since 1955, of the IMF and the World Bank since 1982, of the EBRD and the Council
of Europe since 1990 as well as of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE). Hungary is a founding member of the WTO and was admitted to
the OECD in 1996. Hungary, a signatory since February 1994 of the Partnership
for Peace, became an official member of NATO on 12 March 1999. An association
accord with the European Union was finalised in 1991, and the country is a member
of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Hungary is also a member
of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The 1st May of 2004, Hungary
will become a full member of the European Union.
History
The birth of Hungary dates back to 896, when seven Magyar tribes from the Urals
and the Volga under the command of Árpád occupied the Danube basin.
In 1001, Istvan, Árpád’s heir, converted to Catholicism and
was crowned the first king of Hungary (he was later canonised under the name of
Saint Stephen). The Tartars invaded the country in 1240, destroying the burgeoning
cities of Buda and Pest.
In the 15th century, during the reign of Mátyas Corvin, Buda became the
intellectual and artistic capital of Central Europe. The 16th century saw the
return of anarchy and the beginning of the Ottoman Turk invasion (Battle of Mohacs
in 1526), which lead to 150 years of occupation until the liberation of Buda in
1686 by the Hapsburgs. This marked the beginning of Austrian domination.
From 1703 to 1711, Prince Rákóczi led an unsuccessful war of independence,
before the anti-Hapsburg revolution of 1848 led by Lajos Kossuth and Sandor Petöfi.
The Hapsburgs crushed the revolution with the help of the tsar’s army. In
1867, Ferenc Deák negotiated a compromise establishing the joint Austro-Hungarian
monarchy. The cities of Buda, Pest and Obuda were united under the name of Budapest
in 1872. Economic and technological development was swift.
The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after the First World War was a catastrophe
for Hungary: after the 1920 Treaty of Trianon, it lost two-thirds of its territory
and 60 per cent of its population to Tchecoslovakia, Romania, Yugoslavia and Austria.
Admiral Miklós Horthy then established an authoritarian, ultraconservative
government.
Hungary entered the Second World War in 1941 as an ally of Nazi Germany, declaring
war on the USSR. In 1944, Hungary was occupied by Germany, then liberated the
following year by the Red Army. In 1949, Hungary became a people’s republic
under the dictator Mátyás Rákosi.
On 23 October 1956, revolution broke out, encouraged by Prime Minister Imre Nagy,
but it was crushed on 11 November by the Soviet Army. Three thousand people were
killed and 200,000 Hungarians fled. János Kádár became prime
minister. Nagy and his companions were arrested and executed two years later.
In 1968, Kádár introduced the New Economic Mechanism, combining
a centralised economy and elements of the market economy. In 1988, Kádár,
First Secretary, ceded his place to Communist reformer Miklós Németh,
who becomes the President in 1989.
Events followed in swift succession: the Hungarian Socialist Workers Party abandoned
its leading role; the Iron Curtain separating the country from Austria was first
breached on 2 May 1989, facilitating the passage of East Germans; Imre Nagy was
rehabilitated and his official funeral was held on 16 June; and the Fourth Republic
of Hungary was proclaimed on 23 October of the same year. The first free elections
were held in March and April 1990. The last Russian soldier left Hungary in June
1991.
Life of a river: the Danube
The second longest river in Europe after the Volga, the Danube crosses Hungary
over the seventh of its total length. Its source is in Germany’s Black Forest,
crossing Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia, flowing into the Black Sea via
a 4,300-km2 delta. Its total length is 2,850 km. The Danube marked the limits
of the Roman Empire. Caesar’s armies built their fortifications along its
banks, notably at Aquincum. Later, when the Turks occupied the country, the Danube
served as a border and line of defence. Shallow (3-4 m on average), the Danube
has been a major thoroughfare between Eastern and Western Europe since the Middle
Ages. In 1616, a convention was signed by the neighbouring states; in 1856, the
Treaty of Paris guaranteed free movement along the river.
Helpful hints
. Formalities: valid passport or identity card
. To telephone Hungary, dial 36, which is the country code, then 1, which is the
area code for Budapest, then the number of the person you are ringing
. How to get there
With Malev Hungarian Airlines, which operates several flights a day between France
and Hungary (T: 01 42 61 57 90 – F: 01 42 66 04 41)
. From the airport, you can use the Airport Minibus service to get to your hotel.
Buy the ticket at the airport (2,100 forints single)
. Where to stay
Andrassy. Thirty minutes from the airport in the quiet, leafy embassy sector,
this five-star hotel has all you need, whether you are travelling for business
or pleasure. The Mosaïc Café has a selection of Mediterranean-style
dishes (T: 462 21 00 – F: 462 21 95)
- What to bring back
Porcelain (Herend – Kigy utca 5), tokay (wine), embroideries, paprika, peppers,
painted wood artefacts, cold meats, cheese, antiques (Kincsesbolt – Ferenciek
tere 11), jam and honey (Lekvarium – Dohany utca 39). For souvenirs, antiques
and clothes, try the pedestrian street Vaci utca
. Where to have lunch
- Két Szerecsen. Ideal for a light lunch. Trendy decor, international cuisine,
friendly welcome. Cigars on request (Nagymezo utca 14)
- Central Kavehaz, which was opened in 1887 (Karolyi Mihaly utca 9)
- Jardin de Paris. French restaurant (Fo utca 20)
- Premier. Delicious new Hungarian cuisine (Andrassy Ut. 101)
- Robinson. A relaxing moment by the water in central Budapest (Varosligeti to)
- Szazéves. One of the oldest Hungarian taverns in Budapest. Traditional
cuisine (Pesti Barnabas utca 2)
- Kéhli Vendéglö, local cuisine (Mokus utca 22)
- Café Kör, a Hungarian bistro (Sas utca 17)
. Where to have dinner
- Gundel. Hungarian cuisine. An elegant setting for one of the most famous restaurants
in Budapest (Allatkerti körut 2)
- Ourztalgia. Excellent restaurant with Hungarian and international specialities
(Oktober 6 utca 5)
- Bel Canto. In the evenings, the waiters sing arias (Dalszinhaz utca 8)
- Arany Kaviar (Ostrom utca 19)
- Fortuna. A romantic, candlelit restaurant close to the Mathias church. Medieval
and Gypsy ambiance (Hess Andras ter 4)
- Comme Chez Soi. Italian cuisine (Aranykez utca 2)
- Barokk. Traditional Hungarian dishes (Mozsar utca 12)
- Légradi. Antique furniture, Old Masters and silverware. The building
used to house a brothel. Reservations required (Magyar utca 23 – T: 318 68
04)
. Tearooms and cafés
- Café Müvesz. A classic whose ice cream makes it worth the visit.
Artistic decor (Andrassy ut 29)
- Lukacs. Tempting pastries in a traditional setting. The establishment has been
open since 1912. There is a pianist in the evenings (Andrassy ut 70)
- Café Eckermann. Young and relaxed clientele, Internet service, photography
exhibitions (Andrassy ut 24)
- Gerbeaud. Opened in 1858, this tearoom serves the best pastries in Budapest
(Vörösmarty tér 7)
- Café Pierrot. Speciality: crepes (Fortuna ut 14)
- Café Mozart. Music and chocolate: everything is a reminder of the famous
musician (Erzsébet korut 36)
- 1000 Tea. Discover the art of tea and the secrets of this preparation (Vaci
utca 65)
- Ruszwurm. The pastries are to die for, as is the cappuccino with whipped cream
(Szentharomsag utca 3)
- Litea. Tearoom and bookshop tucked into a courtyard with a few foreign-language
books and guidebooks on Hungary (Hess A. tér 4)
. Not to be missed: a night at the Opera and a few relaxing hours in the
public baths, which are an integral part of Hungarian daily life (Bains Széchenyi
– Allatkerti körut 11/ Bains Gellért – Kelenhegyi ut 4-6,
both open from 6am-5pm)
Holidays
. 1 January: New Year’s Day
. 15 March: War of Freedom Day
. Easter Monday
. 1 May: Labour Day
. Pentecost
. 20 August: Saint Etienne Day
. 23 October: National Holiday
. 1 November: All Saints Day
. 25 and 26 December: Christmas
Hungarian UNESCO World Heritage sites
1987: Budapest, the Banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter
1987: Hollokö
1995: Caves of the Aggtelek
1996: Millenary Benedictine Monastery of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment
1999: Hortobágy National Park
2000: Pécs (Sopianae) Early Christian Cemetery
2002: Tokayi Wine Region Cultural Landscape
2002: Andrassy Avenue, Budapest
. Contacts
. France
- Embassy of Hungary
7-9 square Vergennes 75015 Paris
T: 01 56 36 07 54
- Trade Bureau of the Embassy of Hungary
140 avenue Victor Hugo 75116 Paris
T: 01 53 70 67 06 – F: 01 47 27 35 63
- Hungarian Tourist Office
140 avenue Victor Hugo 75116 Paris
T: 01 53 70 67 17 – F: 01 47 04 83 57
- Hungarian Cultural Institute
92 rue Bonaparte 75006 Paris
T: 01 43 26 06 44 – F: 01 43 26 89 92
. Hungary (Budapest)
- Embassy of France
T: 332 49 80/87/88/89 – F: 311 82 91
- Mission économique de France
T: 327 02 40 – F: 266 12 48
- French Institute
T: 489 42 00 – F: 489 42 22
- Franco-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
T: 317 82 68/318 85 13/267 05 72 – F: 338 41 74
- Institute for Research in Economics
T: 266 20 88
- Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry
T: 488 21 73 – F: 488 21 80
- Delegation of the European Commission
T: 209 97 00/209 97 10 – F: 466 42 21
- Journal francophone de Budapest (Budapest’s French-language newspaper)
T/F: 483 05 75 – 266 86 86