25 interesting facts about Hungary – Swedish Nomad

Original Article: “25 Interesting Facts about Hungary” by Swedish Nomad

Are you looking for interesting facts about Hungary? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a list of 25 Hungary facts that you probably didn’t know, and further down in the article you can also read some more general facts about Hungary such as total population, capital, biggest lake, biggest mountain etc. 

1. THEY’VE WON MORE THAN 465 OLYMPIC MEDALS

Did you know that Hungary has won the second most gold medals in the Olympic summer games of all countries per capita? They’ve won gold medals in every Olympics they’ve competed in.

And what makes it an even more interesting is the fact that Hungary was banned from the Olympic games 1920 and joined the Soviet-led boycott of the summer Olympics 1984.

2. IT IS CONSIDERED RUDE TO CLINK YOUR BEER GLASSES

According to the legend, when the 1848 Hungarian revolution against the Habsburgs was defeated, 13 Hungarian generals were executed, with the Austrians clinking their beer glasses after each execution.

After this, Hungarians vowed to not cheer with the beer for 150 years. That time has passed, but it’s still a custom.

3. THE HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE IS TRULY UNIQUE

The Hungarian language is said to be the hardest language to learn, and that might be true, especially in Europe as there is no other language that is like it. The main reason for this is because the language originates from the steppe of Central Asia and the ancestors of the Magyar tribes who founded Hungary.

4. THE FIRST FOREIGN FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WAS MCDONALD’S

Back in 1988, shortly before the fall of communism in 1989, Mcdonald’s became the first foreign fast-food restaurant that established themselves in the country. However, it wasn’t the first fast-food restaurant in the country because there was also a local fast-food chain called city grill and another one called the paprika.

5. IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST COUNTRIES IN EUROPE

Hungary was founded back in 895, which means it’s older than countries like France and Germany.

6. THERE ARE COWBOYS (CSIKÓS) IN HUNGARY

Hungarians rode into Europe on horseback, and still today, you can see the cowboys in the plains of Puszta.

Definitely one of the more unique facts about Hungary!

7. BUDAPEST HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF THERMAL SPRINGS IN THE WORLD

There are more than 1500 spas in Hungary, but the capital takes the prize when it comes to the number of thermal springs. No wonder that people have come here to enjoy the healing waters for thousands of years!

Each day, 70 million liters of thermal water rise to the surface of Budapest.

8. YOU CAN’T NAME YOUR CHILD UNLESS IT’S APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT

There is a list of pre-approved names that you can name your child, but if you want to name your child with a name that’s not on the list, you’ll have to submit an application.

9. THE HUNGARIAN ALPHABET HAS 44 LETTERS

As mentioned, the Hungarian language is truly unique and nothing like the other European languages. Did you know that there are 44 letters in the Hungarian alphabet?

10. 27% VAT IS COLLECTED IN HUNGARY

This is the highest amount of VAT collected in the world.

11. THE FIRST COMMUNIST-BLOC COUNTRY TO OPEN ITS BORDERS WITH WESTERN EUROPE

Hungary opposed the Soviet regime during the cold war, for example, the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. However, it remained a communist country until 1989 when it finally re-opened its border with Western Europe.

12. THERE ARE MANY HUNGARIAN INVENTIONS

You’ve probably heard about the Rubik’s cube, but did you know that it’s a Hungarian invention? Other notable inventions from Hungary include the ballpoint pen, holography, thermographic camera, digital computing and the first functional helicopter.

13. BALATON LAKE IS THE LARGEST LAKE IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Hungary might be a land-locked country without an ocean, but it’s home to the largest lake in Central Europe, and during summertime, you can come here for a beach holiday.

14. HOME TO THE WORLD’S FIRST OFFICIAL WINE REGION

France, Spain, and Italy might be more famous for their wines in general, but in Tokaj, there is something special. Tokaji Aszu is also known as the King of wines. And it is here you can visit the world’s first official wine region.

Louis XIV of France said the following about Tokaji Aszú- “Wine of Kings, the King of Wine”

15. THE NATIONAL DISH OF HUNGARY IS GULYÁS

You’ve probably tried goulash already in your home country. It’s a world-famous Hungarian dish, but I can assure you that you haven’t tasted the real deal unless you’ve been to Hungary.

Photo: GLOBS Magazine

CLICK HERE to read 10 more bonus facts about Hungary!

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Source: https://www.swedishnomad.com/