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Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Hungary

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Hungary.

Speed

Overview

Hungary is located in central Europe’s Carpathian Basin and is about 36,000 square miles in area. The capital city, Budapest, hosts about 2.1 million residents. Hungary has some topographical variation; however, as much as 50% of the country’s territory is flat. The two most important rivers, the Danube and the Tisza, cross the country from north to south. The region between these two rivers is flat, while Transdanubia, the region lying to the west of the Danube, is hilly country featuring central Europe’s largest lake, the Balaton. A range of medium height mountains stretches diagonally across the country. The Hungarian "puszta" (plain) is a favorite tourist destination where the characteristic animals and ethnographic traditions can be seen.

Detailed geography

Physical Features

Terrain
mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Weather Patterns
http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/HUXX0002?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point
1014 — Kekes 1,014 m
Lowest Point
78 — Tisza River 78 m

Borders and Area

Area (Comparative)
slightly smaller than Indiana
Border Countries
Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Natural Resources and Hazards

Natural Resources
bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Environment and Land Use

Current Environmental Issues
the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments
International Agreements
Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements