1. Basic information about Hungary
Flag:
The hungarian flag changed a lot in the course
of history. At first it was only red and white.
The green was added in the XV. century. All
three colours have their own meaning: the red
means strength the white means loyalty and
the green means hope.
The flag we use today became official in 1990.
The red, white and green stripes are equally
wide without crest.
Language:
Hungarian language belongs to the Finno-Ugrian family of laguages. At the beginning our
language seperated from its closest relatives and started to develop on its own.
After Hungary became catholic latin had a huge influence on our language. We use the latin
alphabet in our own version of it. For a very long time latin was our official language.
From 1790 to 1820 we started to broaden our vocabulary and we changed the we we write
our words. This process is called neology.
Hungarian first became official in 1836 besides latin. It became our only official language in
1844.
The Hungarian alphabet:
a á b c cs d dz dzs e é f g gy h i í j k l ly m n ny o ó ö ő p q r s sz t ty u ú ü ű v w x y z zs
A Á B C Cs D Dz Dzs E É F G Gy H I Í J K L Ly M N Ny O Ó Ö Ő P Q R S Sz T Ty U Ú Ü Ű V W X Y Z Zs
National Anthem:
Hungary’s first anthem was a song called
Boldogasszony Anyánk. Then in the XIX. century when
we were part of the Habsburg Empire our anthem was
the same as theirs which was Gott erhalte Franz, den
Kaiser composed by Joseph Haydn.
Our current national anthem (Himnusz) was declared
official in 1989. It’s a poem set into music. The poem
was written by Ferenc Kölcsey in 1823.

2. Legend:
The legend of the White Stag
It’s a pagan legend that discusses the process of settlement of the
hungarians.
According to the lengend there were two brothers called Hunor and
Magor whose descendants are the huns and the hungarians. While
they were hunting in the woods a deer showed up in front of them
and led them to a new land. The legend says that the deer was sent
by one of their gods to show them the way to their new homeland.
The brothers followed the deer and they settled down on a place
we call Hungary today.
I. Stephen (997-1038)
He was Hungary’s first king. He was raised in catholic mentality, he brought
christian faith into our country. During his reign Hungary went through a lot
of changes and started to develop. This process granted Hungary enough
power to remain a strong and independent country.
Sándor Petőfi: (1823-1849)
Hungarian poet, revolutionist, national hero.
One of the most outstanding figue of the hungarian poetry. He took a very
important part in the revolution in 1848. He wrote the poem called Nemzeti Dal
(National Song) that had a huge influence on the rebellious crowd.
He died in a battle against the Habsburg Empire.
A piece of literature:
Petőfi Sándor: Nemzeti Dal
Talpra magyar, hí a haza!
Itt az idő, most vagy soha!
Rabok legyünk vagy szabadok?
Ez a kérdés, válasszatok!
A magyarok istenére
Esküszünk,
Esküszünk, hogy rabok tovább
Nem leszünk!
Sándor Petőfi: National Song
On your feet now, Hungary calls you!
Now is the moment, nothing stalls you,
Shall we be slaves or men set free
That is the question, answer me!
By all the gods of Hungary
We hereby swear,
That we the yoke of slavery
No more shall wear.
Population:
Our current population is 9 908 798 people. Our population involves people came from different
nationalities like germans, slovakians, romanians, croatians, serbians and gypsies.

3. The top 5 major cities:
Budapest is our largest city and Hungary’s capital. Most of the citizens live here. There are lots of
interesting tourist attractions to see, for example: The Castle of Buda, The Heroes’ Square and the
Chain Bridge.
Debrecen: Our second biggest city. When you are in Debrecen it’s worth visiting the Zoo of
Debrecen, the Hortobágy National Park and the annual Flower Carnival.
Szeged: The third largest city in Hungary. In Szeged you can visit the Dóm Square, the Votive Church
and the University ofSzeged which is also worth visiting.
Miskolc: Hungary’s fourth biggest city. You can visit the Zoo and Cultural Park of Miskolc, the Old
Wooden Church and the Cave baths of Miskolctapolca in Miskolc.
Interesting places:
Hortobágy National Park – Puszta:
The cultural landscape of the Hortobágy Puszta consists of a
vast area of plains and wetlands in eastern Hungary.
Traditional forms of land use, such as the grazing of
domestic animals, have been present in this pastoral society
for more than two thousand years. It is part of the Tisza
plain of eastern Hungary.
Old Village of Hollókő:
Hollókő is an outstanding example of a deliberately preserved
traditional settlement. This village, which developed mainly during
the 17th and 18th centuries, is a living example of rural life before
the agricultural revolution of the 20th century.
Hollókő also known for its traditional clothing style and Easter
customs.

4. Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs:
In the 4th century a remarkable series of decorated tombs
were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman provincial
town of Sopianae (modern Pécs). These are important both
structurally and architecturally, since they were built as
underground burial chambers with memorial chapels above
the ground.
Millenary Benetictine Abbey of Pannonhalma:
The first Benedictine monks settled down here in 996.
They were evangelizing the Hungarians, they found the
country's first school and in 1055 they wrote the first
document in Hungarian. From the time of its founding,
this monastic community has promoted culture
throughout central Europe.
The Historic Wine Region of Tokaj:
The cultural landscape of Tokaj graphically demonstrates
the long tradition of wine production in this region of low
hills and river valleys. It’s located at the foothills of the
Zemplén Mountains in Northern-Eastern Hungary.