Hungary is one of the 27 sovereign states that make up the European Union.
It is located in the Pannonian Plain and borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest, and Austria to the west.
Its capital and largest city is Budapest. Its official language is Hungarian, also known as Magyar, which belongs to the Finno-Ugric group and is also the most widely spoken non-Indo-European language in Europe.
Hungary has been a parliamentary republic since 1989 and is considered a developed country. It is a major tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors each year.
The country boasts the world's largest thermal cave system, Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, and the largest natural meadows on the Old Continent, in Hortobágy.
Twenty percent of the country is covered by forests. Hungary is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of wildlife. To protect the flora and fauna in their pristine state, 10 national parks, 38 landscape protection districts, 142 national nature reserves, one natural monument (the Aggtelek-Rudabánya-Szendrő core sections), and 1,125 municipally protected natural areas, covering a total of 816,008 hectares, have been established.
The country's protected natural assets include numerous parks, forests, mountains, lakes, river sections, wetlands, and caves. The most important are listed by region: in Budapest, the Városliget, Margaret Island, Gellért Hill, Eagle Hill, and the Pálvölgy cave system.
In the Transdanubian region, the World Heritage sites of Lake Fertő, the thermal lake in Hévíz, the Lake Tapolca cave, Lake Öreg in Tata, Lake Velence and its hiking area, the inland lakes and the Tihany geological trail, the Abaligeti cave, the Szársomlyó nature reserve, the Villány quarry, the Fertőrákos quarry, the Danube Bend and the extensive forests of the region, the Pilis, the Transdanubian Central Mountains (Bakony, Vértes, Visegrádi), Gemenc, Gyulaj, the Alpokalja and Mecsek; in northern Hungary, the forests and nature reserves of the Northern Central Mountains, the Börzsöny, the Mátra, the Bükk (Lillafüred, caves), the Aggtelek National Park; In the Great Plain, the Hortobágy, a World Heritage Site, the Bugac, the Mártély with the backwaters of the Tisza, and the Kunhalmok.
Many localities have arboretums with local flora, the most famous being those in Vácrátó, Zirc, Badacsonytomaj, Kam, Kőszeg, Vép, Szeleste, and Sarva. Special animal exhibition sites include the Sostó Wildlife Park in Nyíregyháza, the Kardoskút Traditional Animal Farm, the Mezőhegyes and Bábolna State Horse Breeding Farms, the Dévaványa Great Bustard Reserve, the Lake Tisza Ecocenter in Poroszló, and the Bear Sanctuary in Veresegyháza. In Hungary, all species of reptiles and amphibians are protected.
Face value | Family number | English name | Scientific name
1943.01
17.07.1943
Horthy aviation fund
4v set
20fi
78
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
1952.01
16.03.1952
Birds
20fi
42
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
30fi
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
40fi
162
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
50fi
43
Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus
60fi
42
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
70fi
167
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
80fi
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
1fo
104
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
1.40fo
93
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
1.60fo
69
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
2.50fo
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
1956.01
17.03.1956
Hungarian dogs
8v set
1fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
1959.01
14.06.1959
Water birds
10fi
68
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
20fi
70
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
30fi
70
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
40fi
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
60fi
69
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
1fo
70
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
2fo
70
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
3fo
69
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
1959.02
15.07.1959
Lake Balaton summer courses
9v set
30fi
52
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
1961.01
23.06.1961
Budapest 1961
4x3fo sheet
3fo
240
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Silver background
1961.02
19.08.1961
Budapest 1961
4v set
1961.01
3fo
240
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Golden background
1961.03
18.12.1961
Birds of the woods and fields
30fi
227
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
40fi
184
Great Tit Parus major
60fi
240
Eurasian Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
1fo
168
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
1.20fo
162
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
1.50fo
226
Common Blackbird Turdus merula
2fo
243
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
3fo
43
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
1962.01
18.11.1962
Birds of prey
30fi
80
Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo
40fi
77
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
60fi
78
Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
80fi
78
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
1fo
78
African Fish Eagle Icthyophaga vocifer
2fo
78
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus
3fo
78
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
4fo
104
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
1964.01
02.09.1964
Stamp day, Imex 64
4v strip
2fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
s 26x36 mm
1964.02
02.09.1964
Stamp day, Imex 64
4v sheet
1964.01
2fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
s 20x27 mm
1964.03
30.12.1964
Hunting
10v set
20fi
13
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
40fi
13
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
2fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
1965.01
23.03.1965
International quiet sun year
9v set
2fo
59
Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae
1966.01
16.04.1966
Protection of birds
20fi
190
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
30fi
197
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
60fi
240
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
1.40fo
102
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocoptes medius
1.50fo
84
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
3fo
43
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
1968.01
25.04.1968
Protected birds
20fi
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
50fi
162
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
60fi
78
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
1fo
104
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
1.20fo
80
Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops
1.50fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
2fo
93
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
2.50fo
8
Greylag Goose Anser anser
1971.01
21.05.1971
World hunting exhibition, Budapest
8v set
1fo
Not identified Not identified
2fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
1971.02
09.07.1971
Japanese colour prints
8v set
60fi
13
Green Peafowl Pavo muticus
1973.01
16.04.1973
Hungarian birds
40fi
217
Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
60fi
227
Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis
80fi
227
European Robin Erithacus rubecula
1fo
214
Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla
1.20fo
240
Common Linnet Linaria cannabina
2fo
184
Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
4fo
227
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
5fo
238
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
1973.02
11.05.1973
IBRA, stamp on stamp
8v set
1961.01
1fo
240
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
1973.03
03.11.1973
Paintings
7v set
1fo
240
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
and
240
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus
1977.01
03.01.1977
Birds of Hortobagy national park
40fi
69
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
60fi
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
1fo
70
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
2fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
3fo
32
Common Crane Grus grus
4fo
238
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
5fo
8
Garganey Spatula querquedula
1977.02
22.02.1977
Peafowl and pheasants
40fi
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
60fi
13
Green Peafowl Pavo muticus
1fo
13
Congo Peafowl Afropavo congensis
3fo
13
Great Argus Argusianus argus
4fo
13
Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus
6fo
13
Grey Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum
1980.01
11.11.1980
Protected birds
40fi
8
Greylag Goose Anser anser
60fi
70
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
1fo
8
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata
2fo
52
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
4fo
34
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
6fo
42
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
1980.02
11.11.1980
Protected birds
20fo
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
MS
1983.01
18.08.1983
WWF, birds of prey
1fo
78
Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina
1fo
78
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
2fo
104
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
2fo
78
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
4fo
104
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
6fo
78
Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
8fo
78
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
1984.01
28.12.1984
Owls
1fo
80
Little Owl Athene noctua
1fo
79
Western Barn Owl Tyto alba
2fo
80
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
2fo
80
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
4fo
80
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
6fo
80
Ural Owl Strix uralensis
8fo
80
Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo
1985.01
19.06.1985
Audubon
2fo
102
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
2fo
102
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
2fo
177
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
4fo
102
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
4fo
252
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
6fo
255
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
1987.01
30.06.1987
Antarctic exploration
6v set
2fo
59
Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri
2fo
61
Snowy Albatross Diomedea exulans
1987.02
11.12.1987
Fairy tales
5v set
2fo
32
Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis
4fo
8
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
1988.01
29.07.1988
Wild ducks
2fo
8
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
2fo
8
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
4fo
8
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope
4fo
8
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
6fo
8
Gadwall Mareca strepera
1988.02
29.07.1988
Wild ducks
20fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
MS
1988.03
29.07.1988
Duck recipes
Booklet
1988.01
2fo
8
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
4fo
8
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope
1989.01
31.07.1989
Surcharge on 1988.01
3fo
8
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
5fo
8
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope
1989.02
10.10.1989
Pro philatelia, stamp on stamp
1980.02
50fo
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
imp
1990.01
20.02.1990
Birds
3fo
90
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
3fo
240
Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
3fo
102
Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus
5fo
84
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
5fo
93
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
10fo
88
European Roller Coracias garrulus
1991.01
15.05.1991
Budapest zoological and botanic gardens
5v set
12fo
98
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
1992.01
26.06.1992
Birds of prey
9fo
104
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
10fo
78
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
15fo
78
Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus
40fo
78
Red Kite Milvus milvus
1994.01
10.03.1994
WWF, Great Bustard
10fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
10fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
10fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
10fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
1995.01
09.05.1995
European nature conservation year
4v strip
14fo
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
14fo
184
Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
1996.01
12.08.1996
Naturexpo '96
4v set
13fo
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
1998.01
30.04.1998
Animals of the continents
150fo
21
Marvelous Spatuletail Loddigesia mirabilis
MS
1998.02
06.10.1998
National parks: Hortobagy, Kiskunsag
24fo
199
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
70fo
88
European Roller Coracias garrulus
1999.01
06.05.1999
Asiatic animals
100fo
8
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
MS
1999.02
06.05.1999
Europa, Aggtelek and Bukk national parks
27fo
243
Rock Bunting Emberiza cia
32fo
104
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
2000.01
11.01.2000
Istvan Fekete
60fo
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
and
80
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
2000.02
20.03.2000
National parks: Ferto-Hansag, Duna-Drava
29fo
227
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
34fo
64
Black Stork Ciconia nigra
2000.03
20.03.2000
National parks
Booklet
2000.02
29fo
227
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
2000.04
20.03.2000
National parks
Booklet
2000.02
34fo
64
Black Stork Ciconia nigra
2000.05
09.05.2000
Australian wildlife
4v set
26fo
132
Splendid Fairywren Malurus splendens
2001.01
05.03.2001
National parks
28fo
80
Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops
36fo
23
Great Bustard Otis tarda
and
Not identified Not identified
70fo
93
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
2001.02
09.05.2001
European animals
4v set
90fo
90
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
2001.03
09.10.2001
Mosaic
10fo
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
2002.01
09.05.2002
Fauna of Hungary
4v set
110fo
168
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
2003.01
09.05.2003
Fauna of Hungary
4v set
40fo
188
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
2004.01
19.02.2004
Dogs
4v sheet
100fo
13
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
2004.02
18.03.2004
Heritage
2v set
170fo
52
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
2004.03
07.05.2004
Fauna of Hungary
4v set
65fo
187
Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus
2006.01
27.06.2006
Border Guard
170fo
Not identified Not identified
2008.01
23.05.2008
Orseg national park
220fo
240
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
2008.02
14.08.2008
Debrecen, Veszprém
Sheet
260fo
64
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
and
Not identified Not identified
260fo
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
and
107
Scarlet Macaw Ara macao
2009.01
27.03.2009
Preserve the polar regions and glaciers
4v set
275fo
59
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
2009.02
27.03.2009
Preserve the polar regions and glaciers
4v set
2009.01
275fo
59
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
reflexive
2010.01
07.05.2010
Fauna
4v set
80fo
78
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
215fo
184
Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus
2011.01
08.04.2011
Budapest City Park
4v sheet
160fo
35
American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
2012.01
04.05.2012
Birds of prey
80fo
78
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
140fo
78
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
180fo
104
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
345fo
104
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
and
27
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
2012.02
15.06.2012
Birds of prey
500fo
78
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
MS
2014.01
04.03.2014
Animal cubs
12v sheet
115fo
59
African Penguin Spheniscus demersus
2015.01
16.01.2015
Racing pigeon olympiad
2v set
145fo
27
Rock Dove Columba livia
2016.01
09.08.2016
Young animals
12v sheet
115fo
69
Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita
115fo
2
Greater Rhea Rhea americana
115fo
73
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus
115fo
107
Red-fronted Macaw Ara rubrogenys
2017.01
03.07.2017
Owls
200fo
79
Western Barn Owl Tyto alba
360fo
80
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
390fo
80
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
410fo
80
Little Owl Athene noctua
2017.02
03.07.2017
Owls
600fo
80
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
MS
2019.01
09.05.2019
Europa
2x2v sheet
400fo
70
Great Egret Ardea alba
400fo
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
2021.01
05.05.2021
Europa
2x2v sheet
715fo
227
European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
2021.02
25.09.2021
Hunting
8v sheet
200fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
200fo
13
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
and
13
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
2023.01
04.04.2023
Poultry breeds
4v set
250fo
13
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
2024.01
25.03.2024
Poultry breeds
3v set
330fo
13
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
Black
330fo
11
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
2025.01
30.04.2025
Poultry breeds
4v set
385fo
8
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Philately has been considered as an "auxiliary science of history" because it is based on the general principles of other sciences, which in turn contribute to enrich it. It acquires knowledge of the sciences, of the arts, of languages and opens an immense road of social relations through all countries. This science broadens broad horizons of culture, discovers artistic temperaments and offers the interest of the new and the unknown, while performing a positive therapeutic wor.
