Budapest (pronounced /ˈbuːdəpɛst/, also /ˈbʊdəpɛst/ or /ˈbjuːdəpɛst/; Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈbudɒpɛʃt]) is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of the nation, it serves as the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation center and is considered an important hub in Central Europe.