Hungary's central position and experience in welcoming travellers makes it the ideal place to enter Eastern Europe. The majority of travellers arrive in picturesque Budapest, which has a lively arts, café and music scene, and is host to a range of cultural and sporting festivals. To venture outside the capital is to travel through plains, resort-lined lakes, Baroque towns, and rustic villages. Hungary's other attractions include sampling its quality wines, 'taking the waters' in a relaxing thermal spa, or bird-watching in some of the best spots in Europe.

Full country name: Republic of Hungary
Area: 93,000 sq km
Population: 10.1 million
Capital city: Budapest (pop 2 million)
People: 89.9% Hungarian, 4% Gypsy, 2.6% German, 0.8% Slovak & 0.7% Romanian
Language: Hungarian
Religion: 68% Roman Catholic, 21% Reformed (Calvinist), 6% Evangelical (Lutheran), 5% Other
Government: Parliamentary democracy
President: Ferenc Madl
Prime Minister: Ferenc Gyurcsany

GDP: US$75.4 billion
GDP per head: US$7,400
Annual growth: 5%
Inflation: 10%
Major industries: Mining, metallurgy & agriculture, construction materials, processed foods, textiles,chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Major trading partners: Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia
Member of EU: Yes

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