last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introduction to Hungary
Location Map of Hungary
Hungary
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Quick Overview
At the heart of Europe, Hungary is a flat country. Although there are a few "mountain peaks," only 2% of its territory exceeds 300 m in altitude.
Key Facts
- Type of place: country.
- Latitude/longitude: 47.00' N, 20.00' E
- Local time:
- Capital: Budapest
- Nature of the state: Parliamentary republic.
- Official language: Hungarian.
- Currency: Forint.
- Population: 9,825,704 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 93,029 km².
- Density: 105 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Mount Kékes (1,014 m).
- Lowest point: Csongrád (78 m).
- Coastline: 0 km.
- Driving: on the right.
Tourism
With 17.152 million visitors in 2018, Hungary ranks around the European average for tourist numbers. The majority of visitors come from Germany, the UK, Austria, and Romania. In 2016, 168,000 French tourists visited Hungary, making France the 10th largest source of visitors to the country.
That said, these figures should be taken with a grain of salt, as tourism is heavily concentrated in the beautiful capital Budapest and (to a lesser extent, with a more local or regional audience) Lake Balaton. Together, these two destinations account for the vast majority of the country’s tourist traffic, especially in peak season. Elsewhere, there are far fewer visitors, more tranquility, and prices that don’t spike as much during holidays.
Travel Essentials
- Destination: for beginner travelers.
- By air: Paris-Budapest for 100 € to 250 € round trip.
- Entry requirements: ID card or passport.
- Currency to bring: euros.
- Exchange rate:
- Backpacker daily budget: 45 € to 60 € per person.
- Accommodation: homestays, camping (if traveling by car), or small guesthouses.
- Getting around: car or bus.
- Risks: none in terms of health, low in terms of security.
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices: broadly from May to early October, with September being ideal in all respects.
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .
Addresses in France
Tourist Office: closed to the public, online only.
Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 45/188 (rank in 2018)
- GDP per capita: $29,600 (2017)
- Average monthly income: $1,030 (2012)
- Inflation: +2.4% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 4.2% (2017)
- Population below the poverty line: 14.9% (2015)
- Life expectancy: 76.3 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: +1.3 (2017)
- Population growth: -0.26% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 99.1% (2015)
- Urban population: 71.4% (2018)
- Press freedom: 73/180 (rank in 2018)
- Political regime: flawed democracy (57/167 in 2018)
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook