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Post of the Month: Budapest The Pearl of the Blue Danube Click on any of the pictures to see a larger size with captions. he American Embassy in Budapest, Hungary, lies in the heart of central Europe. Hungary, a country with rich musical traditions of such composers as Ferenc (Franz) Liszt and Bela Bartok, delicious foods like “gulyasleves” (goulash soup) and paprika dishes and the world-famous Egri Bikaver (Bull’s Blood) wine, provides wonderful opportunities for the American Embassy families posted here. With the largest lake in central Europe, the Balaton, and beautiful Budapest, Hungary has long been a tourist mecca. About the size of Indiana, Hungary is bordered to the north by Slovakia and the Ukraine; to the east by Romania; to the south by the former republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia and to the west by Austria and Slovenia. Hungary is divided into three distinct regionsÑTransdanubia, Puszta and Alfold. Budapest’s climate is generally temperate. Of Hungary’s 10 million people, approximately two million reside in Budapest. Hungary is the most densely populated country in east-central Europe. The ethnic composition is approximately 90 percent Hungarian; 2 percent German; 5-7 percent Gypsy; 1 percent Slovak; 1 percent Southern Slavs; and .25 percent Romanian. Although 90 percent of the population speaks Magyar (Hungarian), you will find areas in which German, Romanian and Slovakian may also be spoken. Budapest is the heart of Hungary’s cultural life with excellent opera productions, ballets and symphonies. In the summer, many open-air stages compete with permanent theaters. In recent years, Hungarian filmmaking has reached sophisticated levels. Beautiful handmade linens, dolls and folk-art items and the famous Ajka crystal and Herend porcelain are just some of the rich, cultural heritage of this magnificent country. The government is firmly committed to eventual integration into the European Union and NATO. Emphasis on integration with Euroatlantic institutions, internal reform and foreign trade have helped make Hungary a leader among the reformist economies of central and eastern Europe. Hungary’s natural resources, besides agriculture, include rich bauxite deposits and some coal, oil and natural gas. The government consists of a prime minister, president and Council of Ministers. The prime minister chairs the council and is the government’s chief executive official. The presidentÔs powers are largely ceremonial. ~ by Diana Martinson The author is community liaison officer in Budapest.   HomePage | Past Posts