Establishing the railway network in 19th century

The unique geographical position of the capital played an important role in the development of the economy. The Hungarian railway network was built before the industrial revolution (in the 1850s). All the main railway lines radiated out from the capital in all directions across the Carpathian Basin, towards Vienna, the Adriatic, the Balkans and northern Europe. The development of the railway network around Budapest was influenced primarily by political considerations: the Hungarian capital - politically still subordinate to Vienna - wanted to secure its control over the Carpathian Basin. Moreover, since the construction of railways was heavily subsidized, the railway lines were soon acquired by the state, so that national strategic considerations could determine where the lines were laid. The various railway lines met at the navigable section of the Danube, at the largest river port: Budapest.