Guide to Hungary

Country Name: Republic of Hungary

Location: Central Europe - Hungary is landlocked, bordering Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.

Capital: Budapest

Major Cities: Debrecen, Eger, Esztergom, Kecskemét, Miskolc, Tapolca, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Székesfehérvár

Population: 10 million (UN, 2007)

Major language: Hungarian aka Magyar

Major religion: Christianity

Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)

Currency: Forint Ft

Internet domain: .hu

Country dialling code: +36

Flying Time: Around 2 hours 25 minutes from UK

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1

Voltage: 230V 50Hz

Weights and Measures: Metric

Climate: Temperate - Summers are long with temperatures hovering around 28°C (82°F) in July. Winters are mild and can plunge to -2°C (28.4°F) in January. The climate can be divided into three distinct zones: Mediterranean in the south, Continental in the east and Atlantic in the west. Weather conditions in the Great Plain can be especially harsh, with hot summers, cold winters, and scant rainfall.

Best Time To Go: Winter tends to be grey and cold and most tourist sights are closed. Best to go in Autumn or spring. Summer is great too but this is peak season and there are crowds.

Entry/Visas: A valid passport is required.

25 March 2008