Hungary's capital, Budapest, was established through the unification of three cities: Buda, Óbuda and Pest, in 1873. With a population of nearly two million, it represents the center of the state administration, culture, science, industry, trade and transport.
The capital is located along the two embankments of the Danube; 16 out of its 23 districts are located on the Pest side, six on the Buda side and one on Csepel island surrounded by the Danube. The Buda side of the city reaches up into the hills, while the Pest side was built on the flood plain of the Danube. The 235 m Gellért Hill rises on the right-hand side of the Danube, nearly in the center of the town, offering a fine view of the capital.
The Danube, in its Budapest stretch, is spanned by seven public road and two rail bridges. The bridges destroyed during World War II, with the exception of Elizabeth bridge, were restored in their original form.
The Royal Castle and the Castle District, restored after the war in their original style and beauty, form part of the many spectacular sights of the capital. The Castle houses the extremely rich collection of the Hungarian National Gallery and the country's biggest library, the National Széchenyi Library. Just across on the other side of the Danube rises the neo-Gothic building of Parliament. Not far from there lies the city's most beautiful natural conservation area, Margaret Island, about 3 km long and dotted with parks, sports grounds, swimming pools and a spa hotel.
The capital houses national scientific and cultural institutions including the Hungarian Academy of Sciences together with a number of research institutes. The overwhelming majority of university and college students in Hungary pursue their studies at higher educational institutions in Budapest.
It is one legacy of the capital-centered structure that evolved at the turn of the century and later that seven out of the eight national main roads depart from Budapest, nine main rail lines run there, while the capital is also the hub for shipping, air traffic and bus transport. This disadvantageous position must be corrected by rearranging the transport network, regional development and by designating new motorways on a continuous basis. The woes of a congested public transport network in Budapest are eased by three underground rail lines. Several rail stations have been upgraded, and there are now metro links to them.
Infrastructural development from the outset concentrated industrial projects in the capital, and this situation was further complicated by a misplaced political concept for post-war industrial development. Although recent industrial development in the provinces has somewhat changed the existing proportions, 21% of those employed in industry are still to be found in the capital.
The numerous thermal and curative springs deservedly elevate the capital to the rank of 'city of spas'. Its spas were already being praised back in the Roman era. Budapest at present has 80 exploited hot water springs with waters at temperatures of between 24 to 78°C. Twelve out of the capital's 47 spas are qualified as thermal or curative. The curative waters are mostly efficacious in the treatment of locomotor, joint, gastric and blood circulatory diseases and various gynecological illnesses, and as a drinking cure they are good for easing digestive ailments.
Its developed and natural assets and the marvelous scenery truly make Budapest a great tourist center.
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