Geographical location

Hungary lies in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe. The greatest distance from north to south is 268 km, and from east to west, 528 km.

Area: 93,030 km2   
Population:  10,197,119 persons 
Population density: 108 persons/km2 (63% of the population live in towns)
Capital:  Budapest (territory: 525 km2; population: 1,775,203 persons) 
Official language:  Hungarian 
Type of Government: republic 
Public administration:  19 Counties and Budapest

Climate

Hungary has a temperate climate, similar to the rest of the continental zone.  January is the coldest month (-1 °C average) and August the warmest (21,3 °C average).
Coldest month: January
Hottest month: July
The number of sunny hours a year: 2038

Time Zone

Central European time (GMT+1)
Seasonal adjustment (to daylight savings time): between the end of March and the end of October: Central European time +1 (GMT+2)

Electric current: 230V 50Hz

Holidays

January 1: New Year
Mach 15: National holiday
May 1: Labour Day
August 20: Constitution Day, St. Stephen's day
October 23: Proclamation of the Republic
November 1: All saints day
December 25-26: Christmas
Religious holidays: Easter Monday, Pentecost Monday.

Currency

The official means of payment in Hungary is the Forint (Ft, HUF).
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 HUF
Banknotes: 200, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000 HUF

Exchange

In Hungary banks, Savings banks and 599 businesses involved in exchange.
There is no mandatory minimum amount for currency exchange.

Banks

Banks are usually open between 8.00 - 16.00 on weekdays. Some banks are open on Saturday, but all are closed on Sunday. ATM machines and currency exchange machines are available throughout the country.
The credit cards used most often - AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB, VISA - can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATM machines and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Traveller's Cheques can usually be purchased in major banks.