Population: 10 million
Capital: Budapest
Major language: Hungarian (Magyar)
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 77 years (women)
Monetary unit: Forint
Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals
Average annual income: US $10,030
Internet domain: .hu
International dialling code: +36
About Hungary
Hungary was officially founded on Christmas Day in the year 1000, when King Stephen was crowned and pronounced ruler of the Hungarian state. Despite the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, which cut the population in half, the state grew in status through the Middle Ages and enjoyed a period of Renaissance culture under King Corvinus in the 15th Century.
When the Turks seized Budapest in 1541, afterwards the country was divided into three states. Budapest and the surrounding land came underneath the direct rule of the Ottoman Turks, whilst Transylvania (previously part of Hungary) became an independent principality, loyal to the Ottomans. The rest continued to be ruled by Hungarian nobility, under the auspices of the Habsburgs.
As the Habsburg-led Austrians became the dominant force in the region, the Turks were ousted and the Kingdom of Hungary reestablished in the 18th Century. However, it wasn't until the 19th Century that the Austrians conceded Hungary it's own parliament and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was born. This era came to an end with the onset of World War I. Indeed 'the Great War' saw the demise of four empires, the Russian, the Ottoman, the German and the Austro-Hungarian, and it also contributed to the demise of the British Empire.
The interwar period saw Hungary establish itself as an autonomous republic. However, finding herself on the losing side of WWI, the country was stripped of two thirds of its territory. Bitterness at this loss at least partially influenced Hungary's decision to enter World War II on the German side. That said, when the Germans looked to be losing the war leftists tried to negotiate a separate peace treaty with the allies, causing the Nazis to invade and occupy Hungary in 1944.
The Red Army would liberate the country shortly after in 1945, although freedom from the Nazis came at a price. With Soviet help, leader of the Communist party M·ty·s R·kosi established Stalinist rule in Hungary, and his mismanagement of the economy saw living standards fall. His increasing unpopularity allowed Imre Nagy to come to power (following Stalin's death in 1953). Nagy's attempts to promote a new form of Socialism in Hungary didn't go down well in Moscow and he was forced out of power in 1955. However during the 1956 Uprising Nagy was appointed prime minister by popular demand, and he announced to the world on November 1st of that year that Hungary was leaving the Warsaw Pact and asked the UN to recognize Hungary as a neutral country. Fearing that if Hungary broke away, more satellite states would follow, Soviet recriminations were unexpectedly swift and brutal. 2,500 were left dead and up to 20,000 were arrested after the struggle. Around four hundred of those were executed - including Nagy.
Hungary remained behind the Iron Curtain until 1989, although so-called 'Goulash Communism' in the 1970s and strong moves towards democracy in the late 80s meant Hungary was better off than many of its neighbours. After an initially tough transition to a full market economy, Hungary is now experiencing buoyant times with foreign investment running into the billions and the general standard of living drastically improving. Accession into the EU in 2004 was confirmation of Hungary's status as a modern European country, which is becoming increasingly attractive not just to investors but to tourists too.