Lake Hévíz is located in Hévíz, Hungary, near the western end of Lake Balaton, 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Keszhely.
It is the largest swimmable thermal lake in the world (47,500 square meters (511,286 sq ft) in area), second only the Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand, which is too hot for swimming. The flow of water is very strong and the water in the lake is completely replenished every 72 hours. Its minimum depth is 2 meters, reaching a maximum depth of 38 meters, exactly at the point where the hot thermal water comes out towards the surface.
In winter, the condensed steam forms a cap over the lake surface, creating a natural inhalatorium. This ‘cap’ prevents water from cooling down, rejuvenating exhausted vocal cords when inhaled. The lake developed in the same period as Lake Balaton, with its current source welling up 20-22,000 years ago. (In the geological past, Ancient Hévíz welled higher than its current location.) The lake was already used by the Ancient Romans. Several water-lily types inhabit the lake: the European white water lily is indigenous to the area, while the purple lily was brought from India 100 years ago. Thanks to an abundant water supply, the water of the 4.4 ha lake – with a depth of 38 m – is fully replaced every three days. Water quality is continuously controlled through measurements and specially trained divers.
Area: 93.030 km2
Number of inhabitants: 9.981.865
Capital: Budapest
Official Language: Hungarian (Magyar)
Government: Republic
Time zone: Central
European time (GMT+1)
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz
Electric Plug Details: European plug with two circular metal pins
Country calling codes: +36
Weather:
Summer: sunny and dry + 25 – +35 C
Winter: cloudy and cold – 10 – +5 C
Spring & Autumn: sunny, mild +13 – +25 C
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 HUF
Bank notes: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 HUF
Banks are usually open between 8.00 – 16.00 on weekdays. Some banks are open on Saturday, but all are closed on Sunday. ATM and currency exchange offices are available throughout the country. Major credit cards (AmEx, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Cirrus) can be used in the member shops and businesses. Look for the logo displayed at the entrance. ATMs operate 24 hours a day. Major credit cards and bank cards are accepted.
The country is home to the largest thermal water cave system and the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Hévíz), the largest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the largest natural grasslands in Europe (Hortobágy).
Hungarian wines are enjoyed throughout Europe.
Hungarian classical and folk music is world-renowned. The names and works of Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály and Ferenc Liszt have won Hungarian culture a considerable reputation. The concert halls of the capital attract not only the best Hungarian artists, but also the greatest performers from every corner of the world. Each year the Budapest Spring Festival and its counterpart the Budapest Autumn Festival host the very best of Hungarian and international music, theatre, film and fine arts.
Aside from the successful operettas of Imre Kálmán, Pál Ábrahám and Ferenc Lehár (Countess Marica, Csárdás Queen, Land of Smiles) playing in the renewed Budapest Operetta Theatre, the programe is also spiced with popular musicals (Funny Girl, Sound of Music).
