Hungary is situated in Central Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. The two most important rivers are the Danube and the Tisza. The country covers an area of less than 100 000 km2, and out of around 10 million inhabitants, 2.2 million live in the capital, which is Budapest.

The wonderful panorama of Budapest, also known as the "Pearl of the Danube", prompted UNESCO to place it on the World Heritage list. The broad Danube runs through the middle of this metropolis of more than two million, dividing hilly Buda from the Pest plain. The Danube panorama with its Castle District and embankment is beautifully illuminated at night. From among the sights of the city there are 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatres, 400-year-old
Turkish baths, and turn-of-the-century characteristically Hungarian Art Nouveau ("Secession") buildings. The unified layout- which reminds many of Paris and Vienna- is in large part due to the elegant apartment blocks constructed at the beginning of this century.
Europe,s largest Parliament, the more than 100-years-old, 691-room neo-Gothic palace, streches 268 metres along the Pest embankment of the River Danube.
Lovers of culture will find their only difficulty choosing what to see: 237 historical monuments, 223 museums and galleries, 40 theatres, 54 cinemas, seven concert halls, some 200 places of entertainment with a wide variety of programmes, all offer a rich choice to meet every requirement.

Hungary has the second largest reserves of surface thermal water in the world (Iceland comes top).The country's several hundred springs spouting forth curative waters have assisted many thousands to regain their health.
Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, is a veritable paradise for families with small children, and lovers of yachting and shore resort life.