Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is in the area where the Danube River flows. Hungary shares borders with Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. More than 9 million people live in Hungary. Budapest is the capital city and the largest city.

Hungary has a long history. The country began in the ninth century. Many different groups have lived there, such as the Celts, Romans, Huns, and Ottomans. Today, Hungary is a democratic country with a parliamentary republic system. It is part of the European Union. Hungary is known for its arts, music, and science and technology.

Many people visit Hungary each year to see its beautiful places and learn about its history and culture. Hungary has a strong economy. It offers universal health care and free secondary education for everyone.

Etymology

Main article: Name of Hungary

The name "Hungary" likely comes from the Huns, an ancient group who lived in the area before the Avars. The rest of the name comes from a Greek word that was influenced by several other languages.

The Hungarian people call their country Magyarország, which means "land of the Magyars." The word magyar refers to the Hungarian people and comes from the name of one of the important tribes that formed the country.

History

Main article: History of Hungary

Before 895

Main articles: Hungarian prehistory and Hungarian mythology

The Roman Empire ruled the land between the Alps and the Danube River from 16 to 15 BC, with the Danube as its border. In 14 BC, Pannonia, the western part of the Carpathian Basin, became part of the Roman Empire. The area to the southeast became the Roman province Moesia in 6 BC. East of the Tisza River became the Roman province of Dacia in 106 AD. It stayed under Roman rule until 271.

From 235, the Roman Empire faced tough times with revolts and quick changes in leaders. The Western Roman Empire fell in the 5th century due to groups moving into Central Europe, starting with the Hunnic Empire (c. 370–469). The most famous leader was Attila the Hun (434–453). After the Hunnic Empire ended, the Gepids set up their own kingdom in the Carpathian Basin. Other groups that came included the Goths, Vandals, Lombards, and Slavs.

In the 560s, the Avars started the Avar Khaganate, which ruled the area for over two centuries. The Franks under Charlemagne defeated the Avars in the 790s. Between 804 and 829, the First Bulgarian Empire took over lands east of the Danube. By the mid-9th century, the Balaton Principality, also called Lower Pannonia, was set up west of the Danube as part of the Frankish March of Pannonia.

Middle Ages (895–1526)

Main articles: Principality of Hungary and Kingdom of Hungary in the Middle Ages

The Hungarian state began with the Hungarian conquerors, who came from the Pontic-Caspian steppe as a group of seven tribes. Led by Grand Prince Álmos and his son Árpád, the founders of the Árpád dynasty, the Hungarians entered the Carpathian Basin between 862 and 895. They fought successful battles from Constantinople to Spain. A loss at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955 ended most battles to the west.

Age of Árpádian kings

Main articles: Kingdom of Hungary (1000–1301) and Árpád dynasty

In 972, Prince Géza of the Árpád dynasty started to bring Hungary closer to Christian Western Europe. His son Saint Stephen I became the first King of Hungary after beating his uncle Koppány. Under Stephen, Hungary became a Catholic Apostolic Kingdom. By 1006, Stephen had strengthened his power and began changes to make Hungary a Western-style feudal state. The country used Latin for official work, a habit that lasted until 1844. King Saint Ladislaus carried on Stephen's work, making the state stronger and Christianity stronger. He helped Croatia, leading to a personal union with the Kingdom of Croatia in 1102.

One of the most powerful kings was Béla III, who had a lot of money. Andrew II gave rights to the Transylvanian Saxons. He led the Fifth Crusade and made the Golden Bull of 1222, Hungary's first constitution. The Mongol (Tatar) invasion of 1241–1242 hurt Hungary, but the kingdom got better. King Béla IV built many stone castles for safety. The Mongols came back in 1285 but were beaten by King Ladislaus IV.

Age of elected kings

Main articles: Kingdom of Hungary (1301–1526) and Ottoman–Hungarian Wars

After the Árpádian kings, the king's power got weaker. The first Angevin king, Charles I of Hungary, regained power and beat rivals. Louis the Great (1342–1382) led many battles and was also King of Poland. After Louis' death, Sigismund of Luxembourg became king and later Holy Roman Emperor. The first Hungarian Bible translation was finished in 1439. John Hunyadi was a successful fighter against the Ottoman Turks, especially at the siege of Belgrade in 1456.

The last strong medieval king was Matthias Corvinus (1458–1490), son of John Hunyadi. He was a good leader in battle and a supporter of the arts. His library, the Bibliotheca Corviniana, was one of Europe's biggest collections of books and science. Matthias protected his people from unfair treatment by nobles. His army, the Black Army of Hungary, was big for its time and took parts of Austria and Bohemia.

Ottoman wars (1526–1699)

Main articles: Kingdom of Hungary (1526–1867), Ottoman Hungary, and Eastern Hungarian Kingdom

See also: Principality of Transylvania (1570–1711) and Ottoman–Habsburg wars

After 150 years of fighting, the Ottomans beat the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, where King Louis II died. Hungary was split into three parts: Royal Hungary under the Habsburgs, the Principality of Transylvania under Ottoman influence, and the central area ruled by the Ottomans. In 1686, the Holy League's army took Buda from the Ottomans. By 1718, all of Hungary was free from Ottoman rule.

From the 18th century to World War I (1699–1918)

Between 1703 and 1711, a big war of independence led by Francis II Rákóczi happened. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Hungarian Diet did not meet for many years. In the 1820s, the Diet met again, starting the Reform Period (1825–1848). On 15 March 1848, big protests in Pest and Buda led to a list of 12 demands. Under Lajos Kossuth and Lajos Batthyány, the House of Habsburg was removed. The Hungarian army beat Austrian armies, but Russian forces came to help Austria, making the Hungarian army stop in August 1849. After this, Hungary had a time of "passive resistance".

Changes were needed, and the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 made the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. This brought big economic growth. In 1873, Buda, Óbuda, and Pest joined to form Budapest. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Between the World Wars (1918–1941)

After World War I, Hungary had many changes in government. The Aster Revolution in 1918 put Mihály Károlyi in power. The Hungarian Royal Honvéd army was taken away, and Hungary lost much of its land. In March 1919, communists led by Béla Kun started the Hungarian Soviet Republic. Rightist forces led by Miklós Horthy took over in November 1919. The Treaty of Trianon in 1920 made Hungary much smaller. The Horthy government had problems with attempts to change it, money issues, and growing support for extreme politics.

World War II (1941–1945)

Hungary joined World War II on the side of the Axis powers in 1941. Hungarian soldiers fought on the Eastern Front. By 1944, German soldiers took over Hungary. In October 1944, German forces put a new government led by Arrow Cross Party leader Ferenc Szálasi in charge. The Soviets surrounded Budapest, which gave up in February 1945. The war caused much damage and loss of life in Hungary.

Communism (1945–1989)

Main articles: Hungarian Republic (1946–1949), Hungarian People's Republic, and Hungarian Revolution of 1956

See also: Goulash Communism

After World War II, Hungary became a Soviet satellite state. Mátyás Rákosi led the country from 1949 to 1956, with strict rules that made life harder. A secret police, the ÁVH, enforced the rules. After Stalin died, Imre Nagy became leader and promised changes. In 1956, protests grew into the Hungarian Revolution. Soviet forces stopped the revolution, causing many deaths and arrests. János Kádár took over and made rules easier, improving life. In 1968, the New Economic Mechanism added market ideas. By the late 1980s, money problems led to calls for change.

Third Republic (1989–present)

See also: Revolutions of 1989, 2006 protests in Hungary, 2015 European migrant crisis, and COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary

Hungary moved from communism to democracy peacefully in 1989. Free elections were held in May 1990, and József Antall became the first elected prime minister since World War II. The economy had hard times, including a bad period because of the Yugoslav Wars. The Socialist Party won the 1994 elections. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. In 2006, protests happened over things said by Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány. In 2010, Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party won big and made a new constitution. After the 2026 election, Péter Magyar led the Tisza Party to a big win, and Orbán gave up.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Hungary and Climate of Hungary

See also: List of national parks of Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Two big rivers, the Danube and Tisza, shape the land. The Danube runs through the middle of Hungary, and all of Hungary is part of its drainage basin.

The west part of Hungary, called Transdanubia, has gentle hills and low mountains, including parts of the Alps. It is home to Lake Balaton, the biggest lake in Central Europe. The east part of Hungary is a wide, flat area called the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld). The Carpathians mountains are near the north edge of this plain. The highest point in Hungary is Kékes mountain. It is 1,014 meters tall.

Hungary has a temperate climate. Summers are warm and winters are cold. Temperatures usually range from about 23°C in summer to -3°C in winter. The country gets about 600 mm of rain each year.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Hungary, Government of Hungary, and Taxation in Hungary

Hungary is a unitary parliamentary republic. The country follows rules set in 2012, called the Fundamental Law of Hungary. There are 199 Members of Parliament who are elected every four years. The President of the Republic is the head of state and handles formal duties. The prime minister is the head of government and leads the government.

Main articles: Political parties in Hungary, Elections in Hungary, and Electoral system of Hungary

Hungary has many political parties. The latest election was in April 2026. The Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar, won against the Fidesz–KDNP government. Hungary lets ethnic minorities in Hungary vote on special lists for Parliament.

Main articles: Law of Hungary, Law enforcement in Hungary, and Human rights in Hungary

Hungary’s courts are based on civil law, with ideas from German law and Roman law. Courts are in Budapest. The Hungarian Police handles policing across the country.

Main article: Foreign relations of Hungary

Hungary works with other countries. It belongs to groups like the United Nations, European Union, and NATO. Hungary has improved ties with its neighbors since 1989.

Main articles: Hungarian Defence Forces and Military history of Hungary

See also: List of wars involving Hungary and List of equipment of the Hungarian Ground Forces

The president is the commander-in-chief of the army. The Ministry of Defence manages the military. Hungary has ground and air forces and joins peacekeeping missions. Military service is voluntary, but conscription can start in wartime.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Hungary

Hungary is divided into 19 counties, with the capital city, Budapest, as its own special area. These counties and Budapest are the main parts of Hungary's local government. Each county is split into smaller areas called districts. These districts include towns and villages. Some towns have extra jobs and are called cities with county rights.

Since 1996, these counties and Budapest have been grouped into seven regions to help with planning and development. These regions are Central Hungary, Central Transdanubia, Northern Great Plain, Northern Hungary, Southern Transdanubia, Southern Great Plain, and Western Transdanubia.

Hungary has many towns and villages, with Budapest being the largest city. Some small villages have fewer than 100 people.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Hungary

Hungary is a wealthy country with a strong economy and skilled workers. It is good at making many things, like electronics, cars, and medicine. The country is part of the European single market, which helps it trade with other countries.

Budapest, the capital city, is an important business center with a strong economy. Many foreign companies choose to open factories in Hungary.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Hungary, Hungarians, and Women in Hungary

Hungary has about 9.7 million people. It is the fifth largest country in Central and Eastern Europe. The number of people has been slowly going down since 1980, when it was over 10 million. About 70% of people live in cities and towns, many near Budapest, the capital city.

Hungary has more older people and fewer babies being born. The country has programs to help families have more children, but many young people leave for jobs. Hungary also has minority groups, such as Germans and the Romani people, who have lived there for many years.

Languages

Main articles: Hungarian language and Languages of Hungary

Hungarian is the main language in Hungary and is an official language of the European Union. Most people speak it as their first language. English and German are often learned in schools. There are also several minority languages spoken by smaller groups.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Hungary

Hungary has a long history of Christianity, and many people still identify as Christian, mostly as Roman Catholic or Reformed (Calvinist). However, many people do not follow any specific religion. Hungary also has small communities of other faiths, including Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim groups.

Education

Main articles: Education in Hungary and List of universities and colleges in Hungary

Education in Hungary is free and required for children from age three to sixteen. There are many schools, from primary to secondary levels, and several universities, some of which are among the oldest in the world. Hungary is known for doing well in mathematics and science. Students from other countries often come to study in Hungary, especially in English or German programs.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Hungary

Hungary has a system of universal healthcare, meaning everyone can get medical care. The government pays for most healthcare costs. Hungary is also known for its spas and medical tourism, especially for dental care and plastic surgery. Like many developed countries, Hungary has health challenges such as heart disease and cancer, but healthcare keeps improving.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Hungary, List of World Heritage Sites in Hungary, and National symbols of Hungary

See also: Cinema of Hungary, List of films shot in Budapest, and List of domesticated animals from Hungary

Hungary has a rich culture, especially in buildings, music, and food. The country has many beautiful buildings, including the largest synagogue in Europe and some big baths for healing. Hungarian music has strong beats and famous composers like Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók. Traditional Hungarian food often uses paprika and sour cream, with goulash being a popular dish.

Hungary is also good at sports. Hungarian athletes have won many Olympic medals, especially in water sports like water polo and swimming. The country has hosted big sports events and has successful chess players and sabre athletes. The Hungarian Grand Prix in Formula One is a fun event near Budapest.