Modern Budapest is once united at the end of the 19th century the settlements of Buda, Obuda and Pest. Budapest is spread out on the banks of the full-flowing Danube, dividing the capital of Hungary into western Buda and flat Pest. Thus, on the banks of a full-flowing river, a pearl appeared - the capital, incomparable with any European city in terms of beauty and magnificence of architecture. Opposite parts of the capital surprise tourists with their beauty - the streets of old Buda differ sharply from the avenues.
More than two million people live in the metropolis today. The main part of the population of Budapest by nationality is Hungarians, most of whom are adherents of the Catholic faith, there are a large number of Protestants and Orthodox.
Most of all Hungarians outside their country live in the US - one and a half million people. About nine and a half million Hungarians live in Hungary. This is ninety-three percent of the country's population.
Megapolis
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, on the one hand, and a major metropolis of the country, on the other hand. Of the almost ten million people of this small state, almost twenty percent of the citizens of Hungary live in the capital. In terms of population, the city of Budapest is in the eighth place in the European Union. Residents of Budapest have recently been migrating, moving from the bustling center of the metropolis to the remote rural areas of the country. Population information for Budapest is constantly changing.
Budapest time: minus two hours from Moscow time.
Modern metropolis
Budapest is the leading political, economic and cultural center of the country. It stretches on the banks of the Danube River: two-thirds is occupied by Pest, and one-third by Buda. The city stretched for twenty-five kilometers from north to south and twenty-nine from east to west. The lowest point of the metropolis is the Danube, the highest point of the city is Mount Gellert.
Half of the country's industry and the lion's share of foreign trade are concentrated in Budapest. Historically, it so happened that all the country's railway lines originate from Budapest. Seven national highways also start here.
Budapest is also the largest tourist center in the country. Many of the city's monuments are included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites.
The unique appearance of the capital of Hungary is largely due to the territory in which it is located. Full-flowing Danube, through whichbuilt many bridges of unique beauty, divides the capital of Hungary into two large parts. On the one hand - mountain Buda, recognizable by tourists for medieval buildings (the Royal Palace, the white towers of the Fisherman's Bastion). The panoramic windows of the palace offer a beautiful view of the vast Danube and another part of the metropolis - Pest, which today has become the center of the cultural, financial and political life of the Hungarian capital.
The city has about three hundred bus routes, thirty-four trams and sixteen trolleybuses. The city has three metro lines, including the oldest in Europe.
Population density
The population of Budapest is more than one and a half million people. That's over twenty percent of Hungary's population.
The population density in the metropolis is just over three and a half thousand per square kilometer. In Hungary, the population density is only one hundred and eight people per square kilometer. Where is the population more, in Hungary or Budapest? Because of this density, one gets the feeling that there are more people in Budapest, at least by a square meter for sure!
National composition
The population of Budapest by national composition: 91.2% - Hungarians, 1% - Germans, 0.8% - Gypsies, Slovaks - 0.3%.
It is interesting that everything Hungarians hear is accepted by them as the truth. Many believe that even if blatant nonsense is said to the Hungarians, they will diligently write it down and perform it, while the Germans, for example, think over every word andlove to criticize.
Hungarians are quite friendly people, quickly making contact with strangers and tourists. Already at the second meeting, the Hungarians can easily invite you to visit their home or invite you to their birthday. They always turn to "you", using a lot of informal words when talking even with strangers.
Hungarians are very polite and tolerant.
The population of the capital by religion is divided into followers of the Roman Catholic faith (45.5%), Calvinists (12.6%), Lutherans (2.6%), Greek Catholics (1.6%), Jews (0.5%), atheists (19.5%).
National language
In Budapest, the main language is Hungarian. It is completely incomprehensible to tourists from our country. Hungarian is perhaps the only modern major European language that is not of Indo-European origin.
This language belongs to the Finno-Ugric family, within which, together with the Mansi and Khanty languages, it forms the Ugric group. In Europe, Finnish and Estonian can be considered remotely similar languages.
According to polls, 22% of the inhabitants of the capital of Hungary know English, 16% - German, 4% - Russian, 3.2% - French.
Most people in Budapest speak only one language - their mother tongue. Those who have tried to learn it know how difficult it is to learn. However, the use of any Slavic, English and German does not make it easier to communicate with the natives - the Hungarian dialect is quite unique, hard to hear and requires a long painstaking study infor several months.
It is the language barrier that makes life difficult and sometimes impossible for emigrants in Hungary. Without fluency in the official language, it is difficult to find a job, go to supermarkets, and solve household problems. English and German are little known only in recreation areas, largely due to the fact that these foreign languages are taught at school as additional lessons. The inhabitants of Budapest do not know Slavic languages and are offended if they are addressed in them. Almost no Hungarian knows them well enough.
Budapest character
The city defines the character of its inhabitants. Budapesters are very friendly, cordial and hospitable people. They are open to everything new. At the same time, the people of Budapest are careful about their history.
Tourists visiting the capital of Hungary note the cheerful and provocative character of the local population. They really amaze guests with their positive attitude and love of life. At the same time, the people of Budapest are highly spiritual. From an early age, they pay attention to the careful preservation of the traditions of their ancestors.
Budapest people are very friendly. They quickly attract tourists to themselves. One of the amazing facts is that locals welcome even strangers on public transport. Here it is customary to say hello to absolutely everyone. If the eyes of two unfamiliar Hungarians crossed, they will definitely greet each other. Tourists for some time have to get used to the fact that they will have to say hello to the indigenous people everywhere. Greetings atmen consists in a strong, warm and single handshake, a hug is possible only with relatives, and it is often accompanied by the application of the cheeks. Shaking hands is found not only among male residents, but also among women, who make it softer, but longer. Women in Budapest introduce themselves to men, thereby expressing their respect, although it is preferable that a common acquaintance introduce each other to Budapesters. It is worth noting that personal acquaintance, according to the rules of local etiquette, is allowed only in case of urgent need, although it takes place under extreme circumstances. During the acquaintance, it is customary to report the surname first, then the first name.
The population of modern Budapest is very romantic. People are kind and caring towards each other and towards their city. This is the real reason that Budapest is full of charm. The capital of Hungary is called the city of music and dance. Throughout the year, various national holidays and festivals are held in Budapest.
It should be noted that another distinctive feature of the population of Budapest is a passionate love for dancing. It is not for nothing that the townspeople spend their leisure time attending dance schools, because they are especially partial to this kind of art.
Having fun is, in principle, a character trait that distinguishes the indigenous population of the country and Budapest in particular. People love to spend their leisure time in dance schools. Although for residents of rural areas such entertainment seems to be unique, since they have much less opportunities for such an active holiday than city dwellers. It is not difficult for a simple tourist to accidentally be at a noisy Hungarian dance festival.
Climate
As you know, the climate (the number of sunny days per year, the proximity of the sea) shapes the character of the local population. The location of Budapest is very advantageous. The climate of the capital of Hungary is quite mild. The city on the Danube River rarely experiences extreme low or high temperatures, winters are short and not cold, and summers, on the contrary, are very hot.
Interests of Budapest residents
The center of Budapest is already so filled with tourists that the residents themselves do not always feel comfortable in their city. Because of the tourists, sometimes the answer to the question of where there is more population, in Hungary or in Budapest, is ambiguous. There are always a lot of guests in Budapest.
Let's give an example of places that are loved by the local population of the modern city of Budapest:
- Rudas baths. The people who live in Budapest have their own way of soaking in the waters of the springs. First, the people of Budapest warm themselves in a tank of warm water, then they go to a hot bath, then they go to the steam room, and from there, after a short shower, they jump into cool water. The bathhouse is open for men on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Only on Tuesday the bath is open for women. Hungarian ladies try to visit the bath every Tuesday and chat with each other here. On weekends, both men and women can visit the bath. On Saturday, the baths are open until four in the morning, which once again underlines their popularity.among the population of the city of Budapest.
- Own Borozó and Söröző. In Borozó, wine is poured for relatively little money, in Söröző - beer. Tourists usually avoid these establishments. The regulars of these establishments are the local population of Budapest. The range of such establishments is small. What should a tourist drink? First, palinkas. This is a Hungarian fruit brandy. Secondly, Bitter Unicum.
- Butter Brothers Bakery. It is located near the market in the center of Budapest. The population loves this place for excellent coffee, silence, homemade cakes and delicacies.
- Lehel Market. There are few people in Lehel, and the range of Hungarian products is huge. Tourists should not walk around the market.
- Cafe-Club Lumen. A small club gathers the population of Budapest on Miksat Kalman Square. All lovers of avant-garde and jazz come here. As we noted above, the capital of Hungary is a city of dance and music!
- Bock Bisztro. In your favorite place in Budapest, you should definitely try goose liver sushi and other tricky dishes of the chef, who relies exclusively on traditional Hungarian cuisine in his ideas.
- Franz Liszt Academy of Music. On Sundays in the lunch area, tourists should take an English-speaking guide around the music academy and learn a lot of interesting things about the composer's work. The most amazing thing about the life of Franz Liszt is that, being a Hungarian, he never learned his native language and never spoke it. He was a member of the Masonic lodge in Frankfurt. Franz Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3 for a long timewas used as a ringtone in Nokia phones. The composer had a long hand spanning almost two octaves. This is an incredible Hungarian.
- Mountains.
Mountains
On the weekend in the hills of Buda you can meet a lot of couples with children. In sunny weather, Budapesters walk in the mountains, have picnics, walk their dogs. In the mountains of Budapest, you can walk along planned routes of varying difficulty, ride a bike, ride the railway or climb to the observation deck on the lift.
The most famous mountain of Buda is "Norma". The Bellini opera gave its name to the mountain; in the 19th century, an aria from the opera of the same name was sung under an old beech tree. There are several cafes on the mountain where you can have a tasty snack and drink decent coffee. Here you can transfer to the railway and get to the observation tower, and go down from it.
Local food
So, what do the local people of Budapest like to cook and eat?
- Goulash. Goulash is nowhere as tasty as in Budapest.
- Libamay. It's a foie gras goose liver. Libamay is served both cold and hot. Soft, fluffy and melt in your mouth.
- Duck. Budapesters understand game and poultry. Duck in Budapest is cooked perfectly. If a tourist orders a fried duck breast or leg, he will not lose. Perfectly cooked duck, properly cooked, with a crispy crust and juicy meat - this is class!
- Chicken paprikash. Chicken with paprika stewed in a thick sour cream sauce. Served with small dumplings. The dish is simple but iconic.
- Halasle- fish soup with paprika and tomato sauce. Even in Budapest, baked trout is very popular. If you like fish from the rivers, you should try it.
- All kinds of sausages and sausages. They are sold in street stalls.
- Langos is a typical Hungarian fast food. Yeast cake, fried in oil, and on top of some filling, most often grated cheese. Tasty, satisfying, cheap and cheerful.
- Krimesh. Traditional Hungarian pastry. Two or three layers of puff pastry, and between them a thick, thick layer of custard.
- Cakes Dobos and Esterhazy.
- Shomla dumpling. Pieces of biscuit with custard, cream and sweet syrup. The dessert is reminiscent of tiramisu.
- Chestnut puree, with which various desserts are prepared. Often found in the menu of cafes and restaurants in the autumn, during the season of chestnuts.
Hungarian dishes are hearty and spicy thanks to special ingredients and the Hungarian way of cooking. The main ingredient is paprika powder, which gives a unique taste and orange color to local dishes. Do not mistakenly think that red pepper dishes are too spicy. Most sweet paprika is added to stews, goulash, paprika chicken, and hot peppers are usually served separately.
So, the people of Budapest know how and love to cook both game and fish! They can treat the guest with hearty goulash, liver melting in the mouth, fried chicken. Their table is full of food and the doors are open for guests.
Famous residents of Budapest
Budapest is home to many famous people:
- ActressShari Gabor was born in Budapest on February 6, 1917. She got her name in honor of the Hungarian actress Shari Fedak. In 1936, she won the Miss Hungary pageant but was disqualified for her minor age. A year later, she went to play at the Vienna Theatre.
- Carinti Fridesh was born on June 25, 1887 in Budapest. This is a Hungarian writer, one of the most popular authors in the country in the first decades of the last century.
- John von Neumann was born on December 28, 1903 in Budapest. This is a Hungarian-American mathematician of Jewish origin. He made important contributions to physics, logic, functional analysis, computer science, and other branches of science.
- Harry Houdini was a famous American illusionist and hypnotist. Born on March 24, 1874, he became famous for exposing charlatans and intricate escape and rescue tricks.
- Theodore Hardin is known as Hardin or under the pseudonym Dash, the younger brother of Harry Houdini. Born March 4, 1876
