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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Budapest Castle District an The Danube Hungary |
Hungary is located in the centre of Europe in the Capathian Basin and is surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the alps and the Dinaric Alps. It covers 93030 square kilometers which is 1% of Europe. The country is landlocked and borders Sovenia, Croatia, Serbia, The Ukraine, Romania and Austria.
The country is divided by Europe's second longest river, the Danube which runs from Esztergom in the north, south through Budapest to the border at Mohacs. Hungary is rich in thermal waters and 2/3 of the country could exploit this. It is estimated there is 2500 cubic kilometers of thermal water below Hungary which could produce a million cubic meters of thermal water each day. About half that amount is being exploited for swimming pool bathers and wellness centers like Heviz
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Heves Hungary |
Half the country is taken up by the Great Plain. Also know as the Puszta this flat landscape ranges from treeless marshy areas with small lakes, that are the remnants of the Capathian lake, to fertile plains that are suitable wheat and corn. On the more open Puszta you find rare cattle breeds like the Grey Cattle as well as water buffalos. This is the land of the Csikos, hungarian cowboys. decendants of the nomadic tribes that conquered Hungary a thousand years ago.
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Szigliget Hungary |
The hilly areas of the country are suitable for wine production and produce wine of varying quality. Socialism left the quality of Hungarian wine in a very poor state. Today though a new breed of wine makers and marketeers are again producing top quality wines. Hungary's most famous growing region is Tokaj. Internationally famous it is thought by many connoisseurs to be the Queen of wines. Tokaj is situated in the North East of the country and just to its south is the Eger Region. Famous for its rather poor quality "Bulls Blood wine" in the past today Egerr's modern wine makers produce fine wines from a variety of grapes. To the South of Hungary is the wine cellar village of Hajos. Although modern grape varieties are used here today, wine is still made from old varieties of grape like the Kardarka grape that is only grown in Hungary. Kardarka is a red grape variety that was introduced by the Turks during their 150 year occupation of Hungary. In the south near the Croatian border next to Pecs is Villany. This wine region has had a huge financial injection and produces and market some, if not the beat wines of Hungary. On average the best Hungarian wines can compete with any wines of the world and command high prices.
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Szigliget Hungary |
In the west of the country is Lake Balaton, the biggest fresh water lake in central Europe. This is the centre of Hungarian tourism in the summer with resorts all around the lake. Thermal lakes like Heviz being are also a big attraction.
Hungary has had a turbulent history. It has been continually fought over and its borders and capital have changed location dramatically over time. Man has probably lived in the Budapest area for 6000 years. The Romans had great towns here followed by Nomadic tribes who founded the Arpad Kingdom of Hungary which ruled the area from 1000 to 1526. Most of the country was then occupied by the Turks who were finally pushed out by the Hapsburgs after 150 years and Hungary was incorporated into the Austro Hungarian Empire. Eventually gaining independence from Austria, Hungary was on the Loosing side in the last 2 world wars. After the first world war the Trianon agreement confiscated 2/3 of the country. With a promise of the lands being returned by the Nazis Hungary joined Germany in the second world war. After defeat again the country came under Russian control and remained under socialism until 1989 with one failed revolution attempt in 1956.
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Keszthely Chateau Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Fertod Chateau Hungary |
500 years of conflict and wars has left very few buildings to be seen from the Pre Hapsburgs periods. There are ruins and reconstructions but largely the Hungarian buildings we see today date from the Baroque period. Even Gothic churches that survived the Turks destruction were given Baroque make overs. This has left most Hungarian town centers having with similar style picturesque buildings with a charming atmosphere that is very appealing to tourists.
In the 18th century Hungarian architects produced their own form of art Nouveaux called Secession. One of its great exponents was Lechner Odon who worked with Zsolnay from Pecs to create ceramic architectural tiles and architectural ornamentation. Examples of this architecture can be sen all over the country on the town halls and museums that he built.
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Sucession Kecskemet Town Hall Hungary |
Hungary is a small country of 11 million people who speak a unique language in Europe. Along with Basque and Finish it is the only other non indo european language. There is a strong nationalistic pride with many regional festivals. Theatre is very strong in the country and each town and city have large repatory theatres. Hungarian has also produced great film lighting camera men who are very popular with Hollywood Directors. Hungarian actors like Tony Curtis came to Hollywood after the 1956 uprising in Hungary. It has many famous photographers including Cappa, Kirtesz and Brassai.
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Eger Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Esztergom Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Wine Cellar of Hajos Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of Korszeg Old Town Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Wine Cellars of Cak Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Szolnay Tiles On The Post Office Pecs Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Fire Tower Sopron Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Old Church Bell Tower Szeget Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Vineyards of Villany Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Battle Og Mohacs Mmolrial Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Buso at the Busojaras Mohacs Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Little Prince Statue Budapest Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Freedom Bridge Budapest Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Mimento Sculpture Park Budapest Hungary |
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| Photos, Pictures & Images of The Basilica Budapest Hungary |
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