vote - Pal SCHMITT 263, Andras BALOGH 58; Viktor ORBAN was elected
prime minister; National Assembly vote - 261 to 107
note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of
legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the
third round
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members
elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct
representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 and 25 April 2010 (next to be held in
April 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote
required for parliamentary representation in the first round) -
Fidesz 52.7%, MSzP 19.3%, Jobbik 16.7%, LMP 7.5%; seats by party -
Fidesz 263, MSzP 59, Jobbik 47, LMP 16, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly
for nine-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [5 administrators]; Christian
Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Semjen ZSOLT]; Hungarian Civic
Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic
Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP
[Atilla MESTERHAZY]; Movement for a Better Hungary or Jobbik [Gabor
VONA]; Politics Can Be Different or LMP [13-member leadership]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Air Work Group (works to reduce air pollution in towns and cities);
Company For Freedom Rights (Tarsasag a Szabadsagjogokert) or TASZ
(personal data protection); Danube Circle (protests the building of
the Gabchikovo-Nagymaros dam); Green Future (protests the impact of
lead contamination of local factory on health of the people);
environmentalists: Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation
Society (Magyar Madartani Egyesulet)or MME; Green Alternative (Zold
Alternativa)
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA
(cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bela SZOMBATI
chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Tsakopoulos KOUNALAKIS
embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest
mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest
Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270
telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400
FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green; the
flag dates to the national movement of the 18th and 19th centuries,
and fuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat of arms with the
revolutionary tricolor form of the French flag; folklore attributes
virtues to the colors: red for strength, white for faithfulness, and
green for hope; alternatively, the red is seen as being for the
blood spilled in defense of the land, white for freedom, and green
for the pasturelands that make up so much of the country
National anthem:
name: "Himnusz" (Hymn)
lyrics/music: Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL
note: adopted 1844; the anthem is also known as "Isten, aldd meg a
magyart" (God, Bless the Hungarians)
Economy ::Hungary
Economy - overview:
Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market
economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the
EU-25 average. The private sector accounts for more than 80% of GDP.
Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms are
widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment worth more
than $70 billion. The government's austerity measures, imposed since
late 2006, have reduced the budget deficit from over 9% of GDP in
2006 to 3.8% in 2010. Hungary's impending inability to service its
short-term debt - brought on by the global financial crisis in late
2008 - led Budapest to obtain an IMF-arranged financial assistance
package worth over $25 billion. The global economic downturn,
declining exports, and low domestic consumption and fixed asset
accumulation, dampened by government austerity measures, resulted in
an economic contraction of 6.3% in 2009. The economy rebounded in
2010 with a big boost from exports, and growth of more than 2.5% is
expected in 2011. Unemployment remained high, at more than 11%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$190 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$188.5 billion (2009 est.)
$201.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$132.3 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
-6.3% (2009 est.)
0.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$19,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$18,800 (2009 est.)
$20,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.8%
industry: 35.7%
services: 61.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.17 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 4.5%
industry: 32.1%
services: 63.4% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
11.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
10% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
12% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 24.1% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 122
24.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Public debt:
72.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
78% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
4.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 46
10% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.04% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
10.18% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$28.67 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 58
$30.25 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$67.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$70.99 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$99.06 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$103 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$28.29 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 62
$18.58 billion (31 December 2008)
$47.65 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle,
poultry, dairy products
Industries:
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,
textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - production:
40.03 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - consumption:
37.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - exports:
9.446 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
13.35 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
35,580 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Oil - consumption:
158,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Oil - exports:
69,650 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Oil - imports:
181,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Oil - proved reserves:
26.57 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - production:
2.603 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - consumption:
11.32 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - exports:
85 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - imports:
9.708 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - proved reserves:
8.098 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Current account balance:
-$631 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$441 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$93.74 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$82.1 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food
products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2009
est.)
Exports - partners:
Germany 25.54%, Italy 5.67%, UK 5.41%, France 5.37%, Romania 5.28%,
Slovakia 4.97%, Austria 4.52% (2009)
Imports:
$87.44 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$76.42 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 50%, fuels and electricity 11%, food
products, raw materials
Imports - partners:
Germany 25.05%, China 8.56%, Russia 7.3%, Austria 6.08%, Netherlands
4.73%, France 4.51%, Slovakia 4.14%, Italy 4.13%, Poland 4.07% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$45.73 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$44.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$134.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$147.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$72.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$70.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$20.48 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$19.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
forints (HUF) per US dollar - 213.69 (2010), 202.34 (2009), 171.8
(2008), 183.83 (2007), 210.39 (2006)
Communications ::Hungary
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.069 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.793 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 58
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized; the
system is digital and highly automated; trunk services are carried
by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program
for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996
domestic: competition among mobile-cellular service providers has
led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile-cellular phones since
2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line connections
international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable
connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch
is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture
terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals
Broadcast media:
mixed system of state-supported public service broadcast media and
private broadcasters; the 3 publicly-owned TV channels and the 2
main privately-owned TV stations are the major national
broadcasters; a large number of special interest channels have
emerged; highly developed market for satellite and cable TV services
with about two-thirds of viewers utilizing multi-channel services; 3
state-supported public-service radio networks and 2 major national
commercial stations; a large number of local stations including
commercial, public service, nonprofit, and community radio stations
(2007)
Internet country code:
.hu
Internet hosts:
2.655 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 30
Internet users:
6.176 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 41
Transportation ::Hungary
Airports:
43 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 100
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 22
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 21
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 11 (2010)
Heliports:
5 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 4,407 km; oil 987 km; refined products 335 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 8,057 km
country comparison to the world: 27
broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge
standard gauge: 7,802 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 160,057 km
country comparison to the world: 33
paved: 70,539 km (31,363 km of interurban roads including 858 km of
expressways)
unpaved: 89,518 km (2008)
Waterways:
1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 49
Ports and terminals:
Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs
Military ::Hungary
Military branches:
Land Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription;
6-month service obligation (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,380,381
females age 16-49: 2,319,142 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,884,232
females age 16-49: 1,923,902 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 58,894
female: 55,922 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.75% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Transnational Issues ::Hungary
Disputes - international:
bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group
negotiations continue in 2006 with Slovakia over Hungary's failure
to complete its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam
project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the
EU's external border, Hungary has implemented the strict Schengen
border rules
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for
South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer
of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and
methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to
organized crime and drug trafficking are improving but remain
vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Iceland (Europe)
Introduction ::Iceland
Background:
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants
during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the
world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing,
established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was
subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja
volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused
widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the
island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited
home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence
attained in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw
substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing
industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined
the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard
hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008.
Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world
standards.
Geography ::Iceland
Location:
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom
Geographic coordinates:
65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 103,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 107
land: 100,250 sq km
water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
4,970 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters;
damp, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast
deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:
arable land: 0.07%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.93% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
170 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.17 cu km/yr (34%/66%/0%)
per capita: 567 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes and volcanic activity
volcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe
volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (elev. 1,666 m, 5,466 ft)
erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously
disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor
nearby Katla (elev. 1,512 m, 4,961 ft), which has a high probability
of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air
traffic; Grimsvotn and Hekla are Iceland's most frequently active
volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja,
Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla,
Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and
Vestmannaeyjar
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater
treatment
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost
European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in
the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental
Europe
People ::Iceland
Population:
308,910 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 32,268/female 31,308)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 104,158/female 101,584)
65 years and over: 12.2% (male 16,952/female 20,424) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.4 years
male: 34.9 years
female: 35.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.699% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Birth rate:
13.36 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Death rate:
6.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Net migration rate:
0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 216
male: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.79 years
country comparison to the world: 17
male: 78.63 years
female: 83.04 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.9 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
220 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Nationality:
noun: Icelander(s)
adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups:
homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,
population of foreign origin 6%
Religions:
Lutheran Church of Iceland 80.7%, Roman Catholic Church 2.5%,
Reykjavik Free Church 2.4%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other
religions 3.6%, unaffiliated 3%, other or unspecified 6.2% (2006
est.)
Languages:
Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 18 years
male: 17 years
female: 20 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
7.5% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 15
Government ::Iceland
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form: Iceland
local long form: Lydveldid Island
local short form: Island
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Reykjavik
geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra,
Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland
Independence:
1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown);
17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution:
16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times
Legal system:
civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR (since 1
February 2009);
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president, a largely ceremonial post, elected by popular
vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 28
June 2004 (next to be held in June 2012); following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually the prime minister
note: the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was not held because
Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1
August 2008
2004 election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president;
percent of vote - Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON
12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%;
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic
Alliance 29.8%, Independence Party 23.7%, Left-Green Movement 21.7%,
Progressive Party 14.8%, Citizens' Movement 7.2%, other 2.8%; seats
by party - Social Democratic Alliance 20, Independence Party 16,
Left-Green Alliance 14, Progressive Party 9, Citizens' Movement 4
note: the Citizens' Movement disintegrated in September 2009; three
of its former MPs are now represented under the banner of The
Movement and the fourth former MP is an independent
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by
the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are
appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Political parties and leaders:
Independence Party or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON]; Left-Green Movement
or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Sigmundur
David GUNNLAUGSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance or SDA [Johanna
SIGURDARDOTTIR]; The Movement [Birgitta JONSDOTTIR]
International organization participation: