Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe with over 2,000 kilometers of boundaries shared with seven countries. It has a population of around 10 million people and its capital and largest city is Budapest, located along the Danube River. Some of Hungary's most notable landmarks include the Buda Castle, Hungarian Parliament building and Heroes' Square in Budapest as well as Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. Famous Hungarians include composer Ferenc Liszt, footballer Ferenc Puskás and 20th century composer Béla Bartók.

1. Hungary is a country in Central Europe with a land area of 93,030 square kilometers. It measures about 250 kilometers from north to south and 524 kilometers from east to west. It has 2,258 kilometers of boundaries, shared with Austria to the west, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to the south and southwest, Romania to the southeast, Ukraine to the northeast, and Slovakia to the north.

2. Our coat of arms:

3. Our Currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF)

4. We have 19 counties…

5. 1 January: New Year’s Day 25 February: Mourning for the victims of communism. In Hungary, a left-wing dictatorship changed the short period of democracy that followed the Second World War. We distance ourselves from the unlawfulness of the state directed by the Stalinist Party (lack of democratic functioning of the state, one-party system, deformed economic policy, show trials, life controlled by fear) and commemorate the victims of an oppressive system. 15 March: 1848, „The People’s Spring” The Revolution, which was part of the European wave of revolutions, demanded civil trasformation, and independent direction of the state for Hungary. These claims were provided by the "April Laws". However, the house of Hapsburg did not allow the abolition of feudalism, or independence for Hungary. So, the constitutional state had to be defended by a war of independence from the autumn of 1848. 16 April : Mourning for Holocaust We commemorate the victims of the genocide. At spring time: Easter and Pentecost (Whitsun) 1 May : Labour Day 20. August: St. Stephen’s Day We celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state. The new bread is blessed on this day too. 6 October: Day of Mourning in Hungary On this day in 1849, thirteen generals were executed in Arad, who had led the Hungarian soldiers against the absolutism of the Hapsburgs. Their deaths were the deepest point of the terror, though imprisonment, exile or compulsory military service were other forms of punishment, that meant the failure to establish an independent, civil Hungary. 23 October 23 October 1956 was the starting day of the Revolution, which developed from a mass demonstration. Its goal was to wind up the post-Stalinist regime and to establish socialism with a national aspect. However, the Soviet Union would not allow the homogeneity of the communist bloc to be broken, and by its intervention suppressed the Revolution. 25-26 December : CHRISTMAS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN HUNGARY

6. Budapest Our capital is Budapest.

7. SIGHTSEEING IN BUDAPEST

8. 1.Buda Castle. This is the historical castle complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest , first completed in 1265.

9. 2. Hungarian Parliament It lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube, in Budapest. It is currently the largest building in Hungary, and the largest Parliament in Europe.

10. 3.Heroes' Square This is one of the major squares of Budapest, rich with historic and political connotations.

11. 4. The Chain Bridge (Hungarian: Lánchíd) It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849

12. 5. The Halászbástya or Fisherman's Bastion This is a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank of the Danube, on the Castle hill in Budapest

13. This is a neo-Renaissance opera house located in central Pest. 6.The Hungarian State Opera House (Hungarian: Magyar Állami Operaház)

14. Sightseeing in Hungary

15. Lake Balaton It is the largest lake in Central Europe . As Hungary is landlocked, it is often called the "Hungarian Sea"

16. DUNAKANYAR

17. PÉCS Mysterious burial chambers from Roman times, a slender minaret, exquisite Zsolnay chinaware and cosy restaurants and cafes - this is Pécs .

18. Hortobágy It was designated as a national park in 1973, and elected among the World Heritage sites in 1999. The Hortobágy is Hungary's largest protected area, and the largest natural grassland in Europe.

19. DEBRECEN This is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is home to a large university with many faculties, and foreign students

20. Aggtelek National Park It has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1995. The largest stalactite cave of Europe is situated in this area: the Baradla Cave (26 km long, of which 8 km is in Slovakia, known under the name of Domica).

21. TOKAJ-HEGYALJA Tokaj-Hegyalja is a historical wine region located in northeastern Hungary. Tokaj has been declared a World Heritage Site. However, its fame long predated this distinction because it is the origin of Tokaji aszú wine, the world's oldest botrytized wine.

22. Hungarian dishes… Stuffed cabbage ” gulash” Hungarians are especially passionate about their soups, desserts and pastries and stuffed pancakes (palacsinta)

23. Famous Hungarians Louis Kossuth He was widely honored during his lifetime, as a freedom fighter and bellwether of democracy in Europe.

24. Famous Hungarians Ferenc Liszt Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist Béla Bartók He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century

25. Famous Hungarians Ferenc Puskás the best Hungarian football player

26. And now, let’s see a short film about Hungarian inventions…

27. Double click on the picture, please

28. And now let’s listen to some Hungarian folk music

29. Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt, Virágom, virágom Minden madár társat választ, Virágom, virágom. Hát én immár kit válasszak, Virágom, virágom Te engemet, én tégedet, Virágom, virágom. This song is about spring, when everyone is falling in love, and choosing a partner. Here are the lyrics:

30. Double click on the picture, please