Hungary has an area of about 92,100 sq km, and is located in Central Europe south of the Carpathian Mountains around the Danube and Tisza River Basins . During its recent history, Hungary lost two-thirds of its former territories; this occurred after WW I when the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of which Hungary was a part, was defeated. The present boundary is delimited by Austria to the west, Slovenia , Croatia and Serbia to the southwest and south, Ukraine and Romania to the east and Slovakia to the north.

Overall, the country has fairly low elevation, with most of the country below 300 m above sea level. More than half of the country is made up of fertile plains around the Tisza River basin in the centre and eastern part of the country as well as along the Danube River basin in the west and southwest. The Tisza plains alone account for more than half of the country’s land area. The plains are suitable for agriculture. The Danube basin in the west has some small plains together with rolling hills. Near the Slovakia-Hungarian border are mountain ridges, including Matra Mountains , which are generally covered by forests. This is where the highest point in the country, Mount Kekes (at 1,008 m above sea level), is located.

WithIn the Danube River basin is Lake Balaton , which is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe , with an area of 592 sq km. Other lakes of a smaller size include Lake Velence and Lake Ferto (which straddles the Austrian-Hungarian border). These lakes are popular recreational areas.

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Last edited Feb 12, 09 9:35 AM. Contributors: Andrew W.