Budapest is the capital of Hungary, located in the north portion of the country. Hungary is in the heart of Eastern Europe between Slovakia, Austria and Romania. The city of Buda-Pest was founded in 1872 C.E, when the towns of Buda and Pest were combined. Eventually the hyphen between the two names dropped off, and it became Budapest for good. Since then the city has sat astride the Danube River, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, connected by a series of bridges.http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/83080/Budapest Budapest is one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe, and is a lively cultural center. As of 2007, it contains almost one fifth of Hungary’s entire population. http://www.budapesthotels.com/touristguide/Population.asp

Thousands of people visit Budapest each year to see the two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) locations. The first, established in 1987, includes the banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter. The second was created in 2002, and encompasses Andrássy Avenue and Underground Budapest. http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/things_to_see/top_10_sights There is also the century old Matyas Pince Restaurant, where waiters serve traditional Hungarian food in period costume. http://www.budapesthotelreservation.hu/restaurants/matyas_pince_restaurant.EN.php

The area currently occupied by the city of Budapest has been inhabited for thousands of years. It was first settled by the Celts, but the first major settlement was by the Romans in 106 C.E. They built the city of Aquincum, which means “abundant in water.” It was complete with baths, roads, amphitheaters and houses. The ruins of this city can still be seen in present day Budapest. They ruled the area for four centuries, until the decline of the Roman Empire led them to abandon the city. http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-history-roman-era.html

After the Romans left, many different groups and nations attempted to take over the area. Then the Magyars arrived in the 9th century, and established a firm hold on the land. They formed a small kingdom that would eventually grow into Hungary. At this time the towns of Buda and Pest were founded and began to grow.http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-history.html#foundaation

In the Middle Ages, Hungary was attacked by the Mongols, and during the battles Buda and Pest were destroyed. In 1347, Buda was made the capital of Hungary and was fully restored. http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-history.html#foundaation In the next few hundred years, rule of the country changed hands many times. First the Turks took over in the 16th century, then the Austrian Hapsburgs in the 17th. The Habsburgs reconstructed a lot of Buda and Pest, and helped the cities grow and flourish. The country of Hungary was under Austrian rule until the end of World War I, when it became an independent country once again. http://www.hunmagyar.org/tor/szabharc.htm

In World War II the Nazi forces crossed through Budapest, and left nearly 80 percent of the city damaged or destroyed. It took the army 6 weeks to cross the Danube River. During the siege 800,000 citizens of Budapest were left hiding in the cellars of the city. http://www.cnntraveller.com/2010/04/30/budapest-memories-of-world-war-ii/2/ After Russia defeated the German army, they added Hungary to the Soviet Union. So Hungary was not an independent nation again until the end of the Cold War in the 1990s.

After the end of World War II and the Cold War, Budapest was at peace and had grown into a large bustling city. It is nicknamed the “Paris of the East” and the “Pearl of the Danube” because of its buildings and architecture.http://cityguide.budapestrooms.com/travel.htm The nickname the “City of Spas," refers to the 125 thermal springs that are spread throughout the city. Some of the springs have medicinal properties due to certain minerals in the water. http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/general_information/gegography_of_budapest.en.html

The city of Budapest in divided into two parts by the Danube River, which runs north to south. Buda lies on the west bank, and has over 20 hills spread throughout the metropolitan area. Pest is on the east bank, and is a flat plain. There are three islands on the Danube in the middle of Budapest: Csepel, Margaret and Óbudai. There is also an extensive cave system through the hills of Buda formed by its thermal springs.http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/83080/Budapest

The weather in Budapest is considered continental, with very cold winters and mild summers. The temperature during December and January can sometimes drop to -5°F. During the summer there is sometimes high humidity, and the sun can shine for 10 hours a day.http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Hungary/Budapest/Climate

A UNESCO world heritage site, the Buda Castle was completed in 1265 and was the home of the Hungarian kings. The original castle was destroyed during a siege in 1686. In 1867 a new castle was built using the remaining structures of the previous buildings. The current Buda Castle houses the Budapest History Museum as well as thousands of pieces of art. http://www.mostinterestingdestinations.com/landmarks/buda-castle-budapest-hungary/

The building that houses these baths was built during the Middle Ages. It was originally a hospital, but was converted into Turkish baths years later. Now, it is a bathhouse with many different types of pools, along with stained glass windows, columns and mosaics. http://www.budapestinfo.hu/hu/latnivalok/gyogyfurdok

This building was started in 1885, and took thirteen years to complete. It was built to house the growing government of Budapest, and is still used for government meetings in the present day. http://www.budapest-parliament.com/

It took ten years to build this museum, starting in 1837. It was originally built to hold Count Ferenc Széchényi’s collection, which he donated in order to start a museum. Other museums in Budapest have grown out of this one, including the Museum of Fine Arts. There is also a garden surrounding the museum, with many different statues of prominent figures from literature and history.http://www.hnm.hu/en/magun/mag_eptort.html

• Harry Houdini: magicianhttp://www.traveltohungary.com/english/articles/article.php?id=86
• Bela Bartok: composerhttp://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/bartok.html
• Mihály Vörösmarty: poet and writerhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632913/Mihaly-Vorosmarty
• Jeno Hunyadi: mathematicianhttp://www.europe-cities.com/en/658/hungary/history/famous-people/