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Line 166: − − ==Economy== − [[Image:Mnb hu.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Hungarian National Bank]]]] − [[Image:HUF 500 1998 obverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Hungarian Forint]] (obverse)]] − [[Image:HUF 500 1998 reverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hungarian Forint (reverse)]] − {{main|Economy of Hungary}} − Hungary continues to demonstrate [[economic growth]] as one of the newest member countries of the European Union (since 2004). The private sector accounts for over 80% of [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]. Hungary gets nearly one third of all [[foreign direct investment]] flowing in to Central Europe. [[Foreign ownership]] of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totalling more than US$23 billion since 1989. The Hungarian sovereign debt's [[credit rating]] is BBB+ [[As of 2006|as of July 2006]], making Hungary the only other country in the EU apart from Poland not to enjoy an A grade score. [[Inflation]] and [[unemployment]] have been on the rise in the past few years, and they are expected to rise further. Foreign investors' trust in the Hungarian economy has declined, as they deem that the stringency measures planned in the second half of 2006 are not satisfactory, their focus being mainly on increasing the income side rather than curbing government spendings. Economic reform measures such as [[health care reform]], [[tax reform]], and [[local government]] financing are being addressed by the present government. − − The Hungarian government has expressed a desire to adopt the [[euro]] currency between 2010 and 2014<ref>[http://vg.hu/index.php?apps=cikk&cikk=164181 "Gyurcsány modifies date"], [[Világgazdaság]]</ref>. However, foreign analysts widely criticised that date (2010) as highly unrealistic given the current shape of the economy in relation to the [[Maastricht criteria]]; their assessments suggest that a date of 2013-2014 for Euro adoption is more realistic. − − ==Geography== − [[Image:Hortobágy.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Hortobágy]] on the [[Great Hungarian Plain]] with [[Racka]] sheep]] − [[Image:Kekesteto1.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Kékes]], the highest mountain in Hungary.]] − {{main|Geography of Hungary}} − − ===Landscape=== − Approximately slightly more than one half of Hungary's landscape consists of flat to rolling plains of the [[Carpathian Basin]]: the most important plain regions include the [[Little Hungarian Plain]] in the west, and the [[Great Hungarian Plain]] in the southeast. The highest elevation above sea level on the latter is only 183 metres. − − [[Transdanubia]] is a primarily hilly region with a terrain varied by low mountains. These include the very eastern stretch of the [[Alps]], [[Alpokalja]], in the west of the country, the [[Transdanubian Medium Mountains]], in the cental region of Transdanubia, and the [[Mecsek]] Mountains and [[Villány Mountains]] in the south. The highest point of the area is the [[Írott-kő]] in the Alps, at 882 metres. − − The highest mountains of the country are located in the [[Carpathians]]: these lie in the [[Northern Medium Mountains (Hungary)|northern parts]], in a wide band along the [[Slovakia]]n border (highest point: the [[Kékes]] at 3,327 [[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]; 1,014 m). − − Hungary is divided in two by its main waterway, the [[Danube]] (Duna); other large rivers include the [[Tisza]] and [[Dráva]], while Transdanubia contains [[Lake Balaton]], a major body of water. The largest thermal lake in the world, [[Lake Hévíz]] ([[Hévíz Spa]]), is located in Hungary. The second largest lake in the [[Carpathian Basin]] is the artificial [[Lake Tisza]] (''Tisza-tó''). − − ===Climate=== − Hungary has a [[continental climate]], with cold, cloudy, humid [[winter]]s and warm to hot [[summer]]s. Average annual temperature is 9.7 °[[Celsius|C]] (49.5 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]). Temperature extremes are about 42 °C (110 °F) in the summer and −29 °C (−20 °F) in the winter. Average temperature in the summer is 27 to 35 °C (81 to 95 °F), and in the winter it is 0 to −15 °C (32 to 5 °F). The average yearly rainfall is approximately 600 millimetres (24 [[inch|in]]). A small, southern region of the country near [[Pécs]] enjoys a reputation for a [[Mediterranean climate]], but in reality it is only slightly warmer than the rest of the country and still receives snow during the winter. − <!-- − The following section is not cited, and "according to popular opinion" possibly not encyclopedic in content. Until someone looks after this, please keep it hidden: − − The relative isolation of the Carpathian Basin makes it susceptible to [[drought]]s and the effects of [[global warming]] have already been felt. According to popular opinion and many scientists, the country became drier in recent decades, as droughts have become quite common. Summers became hotter and winters became milder. For these reasons, snow has become much rarer than before. Popular opinion also states that the four-season system became a two-season system as [[spring (season)|spring]] and [[autumn]] are getting shorter and shorter, even vanishing some years. This supposed tendency unexpectedly was reversed in 2006 when Hungary's two main rivers, the [[Danube]] and the [[Tisza]], flooded at the same time. It made hundreds of homes uninhabitable despite the hard work of the defenders who reinforced most sections of the rivers with sandbags (with the help of university students and the army of Hungary ("[[Honvédség]]")). − − Most of Hungary is covered by agricultural plains; there are but few remnants of its original forests, mainly in the mountain regions and national parks. --> − − ==Demographics== − {{main|Demographics of Hungary}} − {{bar box − |width=300px − |float=right − |title=Ethnic composition of Hungary − |titlebar=#ddd − |bars= − {{bar percent|Hungarian|green|94}} − {{bar percent|Roma|teal|2}} − {{bar percent|German|lightgreen|1.2}} − {{bar percent|Slovak|orange|0.4}} − {{bar percent|other|gray|2.3}} − }} − For 95% of the population, mostly [[Hungarians]], the mother tongue is [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], a [[Finno-Ugric]] language unrelated to any neighbouring language and distantly related to [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Estonian language|Estonian]]. Several [[Minority group|ethnic minorities]] exist: [[Roma (people)|Roma]] (2,1%), [[ethnic German|German]]s (1.2%), [[Slovaks]] (0.4%), [[Croats]] (0.2%), [[Romanians]] (0.1%),[[Serbs]] (0.1%) and [[Ukrainians]] (0.1%). − − According to census data, the largest religion in Hungary is [[Latin Rite|Roman Catholicism]] (50% of the population [http://www.nepszamlalas.hu/eng/volumes/18/tables/load1_26.html]), with a significant [[Calvinist]] minority (16% of the population) and smaller [[Lutheran]] (3%) and [[Hungarian Byzantine Catholic Church|Greek Catholic]] (3%) minorities. However, these census figures are representative of religious affiliation rather than practice; an estimated 10-14% of Hungarians attend religious services at least once a week and fewer than 50% at least once a year, while 30% of Hungarians do not believe in God [http://www.worldvaluessurvey.com][http://www.demos.hu/audit]. − − For historical reasons, significant [[Magyars|Hungarian]] minority populations can be found in the surrounding countries, notably in [[Romania]] (in [[Transylvania]]), [[Slovakia]], [[Serbia]] (in [[Vojvodina]]), [[Ukraine]] (in [[Carpathian Ruthenia|Transcarpathia]]), [[Croatia]] (mainly [[Slavonia]]) and [[Austria]] (in [[Burgenland]]); [[Slovenia]] is also host to a number of ethnic Magyars, where Hungarian language has an official status. − − ====The Roma minority==== − {{main|Roma People}} − The real number of [[Roma people]], known colloquially as "Gypsies", in Hungary is a disputed question. In the 2001 census, only 190,000 people called themselves Roma, but experts and Roma organisations estimate that there are between 450,000 and 600,000 Roma living in Hungary [http://www.demos.hu/Audit]. Since [[World War II]], the size of the Roma population has increased rapidly. Today every fifth or sixth newborn Hungarian child belongs to the Roma minority{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Estimates based on current demographic trends claim that in 2050 15-20 percent of the population (1.2 million people) will be Roma.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} − − Romas (called ''cigányok'' or ''romák'' in Hungarian) suffer particular problems in Hungary. School segregation is an especially acute one, with many Roma children sent to classes for pupils with learning disabilities. Currently slightly more than 80% of Roma children complete primary education, but only one third continue studies into the intermediate (secondary) level. This is far lower than the more than 90% proportion of children of non-Roma families who continue studies at an intermediate level. The situation is made still worse by the fact that a large proportion of young Roma are qualified in subjects that provide them only limited chances for employment. Less than 1% of Roma hold higher educational certificates. Their low status on the job market and higher unemployment rates cause poverty, widespread social problems and crime.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} − − ==Culture== − [[Image:Liszt-1870.jpg|thumb|right|130px|[[Franz Liszt]], the prominent Hungarian [[composer]], [[piano]] [[virtuoso]] and contemporary of [[Ferenc Erkel]].]] − {{main|Culture of Hungary}} − − === Music === − − The [[music of Hungary]] consists mainly of traditional Hungarian [[folk music]] and music by prominent composers such as [[Franz Liszt]], [[Béla Bartók]] and [[Zoltán Kodály]]. Hungarian traditional music tends to have a strong [[Dactyl (poetry)|dactylic]] [[rhythm]], just as the language is invariably stressed on the first syllable of each word. − − === Cuisine === − − [[Cuisine of Hungary|Hungarian cuisine]] is also a prominent feature of Hungarian culture, with traditional dishes such as [[goulash]] (''gulyás'' or ''gulyásleves'') a main feature of the Hungarian [[diet (nutrition)|diet]]. Dishes are often flavoured with [[paprika]]. [[Stew]]s are often to be found with typical elements such as [[pork]] or [[beef]], for example as used in [[pörkölt]]. − − === Science === − − Hungary is famous for its excellent [[mathematics education]] which has trained numerous outstanding scientists. Famous Hungarian mathematicians include [[Paul Erdős]], famed for publishing in over forty languages and whose [[Erdős number]]s are still tracked; [[János Bolyai|János (John) Bolyai]], designer of [[non-Euclidian geometry|non-Euclidean]] (or "absolute") [[geometry]] in [[1831]];<ref name="HunInvent">[http://www.hungemb.com/damascus/hungarians_to_universal_culture.htm ''The Contribution of Hungarians to Universal Culture''] (includes inventors), Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, [[Damascus, Syria]], 2006.</ref> − [[John von Neumann]], a pioneer of [[digital computing]]; [[Eugene Wigner]]; and many others. Erdős, von Neumann, and Wigner, like other Hungarian Jewish scientists, fled rising [[anti-Semitism]] in Europe, and made their most famous contributions in the United States. − − Hungarians are very proud of their inventions. These include the noiseless [[match]] ([[János Irinyi|János Irínyi]]), the [[Rubik's cube]], the [[krypton]] electric bulb ([[Imre Bródy]], 1891–1944), and the aforementioned [[non-Euclidian geometry]]. A number of other important inventions, including [[holography]], the [[ballpoint pen]] (invented by the eponymous [[Laszlo Bíró]]), the theory of the [[hydrogen bomb]], and the [[BASIC programming language|BASIC]] [[programming language]],<ref name="HunInvent"/> were invented by Hungarians who fled the country prior to World War II. − − === Literature === − [[Image:Ferenc kolcsey.jpg|right|thumb|right|130px|[[Ferenc Kölcsey]], author of the lyrics of the Hungarian national anthem.]] − [[Hungarian literature]] has recently gained some renown outside the borders of Hungary (mostly through translations into German, French and English). Some modern Hungarian authors became increasingly popular in Germany and Italy especially [[Sándor Márai]], [[Péter Esterházy]], [[Péter Nádas]] and [[Imre Kertész]]. The latter is a contemporary Jewish writer who survived the Holocaust and won the [[Nobel Prize]] for literature in 2002. − − The older classics of Hungarian literature and Hungarian poetry remained almost totally unknown outside Hungary. [[János Arany]], a famous nineteenth century Hungarian poet is still much loved in Hungary (especially his collection of [[Ballads]]), among several other "true classics" like [[Sándor Petőfi]], the poet of the Revolution of 1848, [[Endre Ady]], [[Mihály Babits]], [[Dezső Kosztolányi]], [[Attila József]] and [[János Pilinszky]]. Other well-known Hungarian authors are [[Zsigmond Móricz]], [[Gyula Illyés]], [[Albert Wass]], [[Magda Szabó]] and the [[Nobel Prize]] winner [[Imre Kertész]]. − − === Sport === − One of the most famous Hungarians is the footballer [[Ferenc Puskás]] ([[1927]] – [[2006]]). He scored 84 goals in 85 internationals for [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]],<ref name="international goals"/> and 511 goals in 533 matches in the [[Hungarian League|Hungarian]] and [[La Liga|Spanish]] leagues. Puskás played the [[1954 FIFA World Cup Final|1954 World Cup final]] against [[West Germany national football team|West Germany]]. In 1958, after the [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|Hungarian Revolution]], he emigrated to [[Spain]] where he played in the legendary [[Real Madrid]] team that also included [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]], and [[Francisco Gento]]. − − Hungarians are also known for their prowess at [[Water sport (recreation)|water sports]], mainly [[swimming]], [[water polo]] and canoeing; this can be said to be surprising at first, due to Hungary being [[landlocked]]. On the other hand, the presence of two major rivers (the [[Danube|Duna]] and the [[Tisza]]) and a major lake ([[Lake Balaton|Balaton]]) give excellent opportunities to practice these sports. − − ==See also== − {{HungaryPortal}} − {{columns |width=220px − |col1 = − *[[Communications in Hungary]] − *[[Curse of Turan]] − *[[Foreign relations of Hungary]] − *[[Hungarian American]] organizations − *[[History of the Jews in Hungary]] − *[[Hungarian animals]] − |col2 = − *[[Hungarian people]] − *[[Cuisine of Hungary|Hungarian cuisine]] − *[[History of Hungary]] − *[[Hungarian jokes]] − *[[Magyar Cserkészszövetség|Hungarian Scout Association]] − *[[Military of Hungary]] − |col3 = − *[[Music of Hungary]] − *[[Name days in Hungary]] − *[[Public holidays in Hungary]] − *[[Transportation in Hungary]] − *[[Castles in Hungary]] − *[[Hungarian Castles and Mansions]] − − *[[Old Hungarian script]] − }} − ===Lists=== − *[[List of cities in Hungary]] − *[[List of Hungarians]] − *[[List of Hungarian rulers]] − *[[List of Hungarian writers]] − *[[List of colleges in Hungary]] − *[[List of universities in Hungary]] − *[[List of most popular family names#Hungary|Common Hungarian surnames]] − *[[List of personal naming conventions#Name order|Eastern name order used in Hungarian personal names]] − − ==References== − {{reflist}} − − ==External links== − {{sisterlinks|Hungary}} − * [http://www.parlament.hu/parl_en.htm Official site of the National Assembly] − * [http://www.keh.hu/index_en.html Official site of the President of Hungary] − * [http://www.meh.hu/english Official site of the Prime Minister of Hungary] − * [http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Hungary:_Primary_Documents History of Hungary: Primary Documents] − * [http://www.hungarianhistory.com History of Hungary – The Corvinus Library] − * [http://www.bh.org.il/V-Exh/hungary/index.html In The Land of Hagar - The Jews of Hungary] – A Virtual Exhibition − * [http://new.photos.yahoo.com/zsolt_hungary/album/576460762351130695 Budapest Photos] − * [http://www.civertan.hu/legifoto/legifoto.php?page_level=1 Aerial photography: Hungary] − * [http://www.earth-photography.com/Countries/Hungary Artistic photos of Hungary] − * [http://translations.bookfinder.hu/indexa.htm Translation of Hungarian literary works - a database] − * {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Hungary|Hungary}} − − − − − <!--Categories--> − [[Category:Hungary| ]] − [[Category:European Union member states]] − [[Category:Republics]] − [[Category:Landlocked countries]] − − − − [[Category:European Countries]] − [[Category:Warsaw Pact members]] − [[Category:EU Members]]
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