A

An

The

a

an

the

Hungary traces its history back to Magyars, alliance of semi-nomadic tribes from southern Russia and Black Sea coast that arrived in region in ninth century.

After centuries as powerful medieval kingdom, Hungary was part of Ottoman and then Habsburg empires from 16th century onwards, emerging as independent country again after World War I.

Hungarian language belongs to Finno-Ugric family and is one of handful of languages spoken within European Union that are not of Indo-European origin.

landlocked country, Hungary is home to Lake Balaton, largest in central Europe, and to large number of spa towns and hot springs.

At glance

It has especially rich traditions in folk and classical music and was birthplace of numerous outstanding performers and composers, including Franz Liszt, Bela Bartok and Zoltan Kodaly.

Hungary became co-equal partner with Austria in dual monarchy in mid-19th century after unsuccessful revolt against Habsburgs in 1848. After period of turmoil following World War I, independent kingdom of Hungary was established under authoritarian regency of Admiral Miklos Horthy.

redrawing of European borders that took place after World War I left about five million ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries. Their status remains sensitive issue and has complicated Hungary's relations with its neighbours.

Following World War II, in which Admiral Horthy had allied himself with Germany, Hungary fell under communist rule. uprising in 1956 was crushed by Red Army forces, but Hungary did later become first Eastern European country to gain some economic freedom.

Hungary played important part in accelerating collapse of communism across Eastern Europe when it opened its border with Austria in 1989, allowing thousands of East Germans to escape to West. Just few months later Berlin Wall was history.

Hungary's post-communist economic transition was achieved relatively smoothly. Within four years of collapse of communism nearly half of country's economic enterprises had been transferred to private sector, and by 1998 Hungary was attracting nearly half of all foreign direct investment in Central Europe.