Interesting & Fun Facts about Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, which is located in the Northern center of the country. It is one of the most significant places in Hungary, as it is the political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation hub of the country. Hungary’s main economy is based in its capital city Budapest, which forms the main center of numerous industries. It is also regarded as an important center in Central Europe, in terms of business, culture and tourism. Budapest is basically an amalgamation of two cities - Buda and Pest, which are separated by the river Danube. The right or the west bank is occupied by Buda while the left or the east bank is flanked by Pest. There are a number of historical monuments and landmarks in the city, making it one of the most visited cities of the continent. Owing to its high popularity as a global city, it is regarded as one of the top places to live in the world. To know some more interesting facts about Budapest, read on.

Image: By Hal9000beta Daniel Pauls (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Fast Facts

Country: Hungary

Area: 525.16km²

Population: 1,741,041 (2011)

Demonym: Budapesti

Interesting Facts About Budapest

Budapest occupies both the banks of the river Danube.
Budapest constitutes approximately 20% of the population of Hungary. The ethnic groups residing the city are Germans, Hungarians, Roma, Slovaks and Greeks.
Budapest has 23 districts in total; 6 are located in Buda, 16 in Pest and 1 on the Csepel Island between them.
The largest Synagogue in Europe, the Dohány Street Synagogue, is located in Budapest. It is also the second largest synagogue in the world. It can accommodate 3,000 worshipers and was a built between 1854 and 1859.
The largest medicinal bath in Europe, Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, is also located in the city.
The third largest Parliament building in the world also lies in Budapest.
The city even houses the third largest church in Europe, Esztergom Basilica.
Budapest experiences a temperate, transitional climate.
Budapest has the oldest subway-line, named Millenium Underground in mainland Europe. After London, Budapest has the oldest underground train system in Europe. The line opened in 1896 in the year when Hungary celebrated its 1000th anniversary. It’s still in use as subway and it connects the city center with City Park.
Budapest is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city houses a few World Heritage Sites, namely the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue and the Millennium Underground railway.
A major attraction of the city is the 80 geothermal springs. Budapest also has the world’s largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue and third largest Parliament building.
The Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum speaks of the rich past of the city.
Budapest has the headquarter of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and also the first foreign office of the CIPA.
The city has a well-developed infrastructure, which connects it to other cities both within and outside Hungary. It has an airport named Budapest Ferihegy International Airport and a major railway terminus as well. The roads are very well developed and maintained throughout the city.
Budapest is designated as one of the top 100 most-livable cities in the world.
Budapest houses about 223 museums, 90 cinemas, 237 monuments, 12 concert halls, 35 theatres and 2 opera houses.
The lion-guarded Chain Bridge is one of the city’s most recognizable features. The bridge was opened in 1889.
At the time of its construction in 1903, Budapest’s Elizabeth Bridge was the world’s longest suspension bridge.
The largest panoramic image in the world was shot from the top of Gallert Hill in Budapest.
It is believed that if a person touches the pen of the Statue of Anonymous, located in the park near the Heroes’ Square, he or she can become a better writer.
Budapest was once three cities namely Óbuda, Buda and Pest. These cities were united to become a single city by the Habsburg rule in 1873.
This city celebrates many festivals throughout the year. Some of the well-known events are Danube Water Carnival , National Gallop, Budapest Baroque Music Festival, Mangalica Festival, Festival of Balaton Wines, to name a few.
Budapest is home to several world heritage sites. These include: the Castle District, Andrássy Avenue, Hero's Square and both banks of the River Danube between the Elizabeth and Margaret Bridge.
Most restaurants in Budapest print menus in Hungarian, English and German.

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