Hungary

1000 AD (Sunday, January 1) – Stephen I crowned as the first King of Hungary, establishing the Kingdom of Hungary

1241 (Thursday, April 11) – Mongol invasion devastates Hungary, leading to widespread destruction and population losses

1526 (Monday, August 29) – Battle of Mohács – Ottoman Empire defeats Hungary, leading to the division of the kingdom into Ottoman-controlled and Habsburg-controlled areas

1867 (Monday, June 8) – Austro-Hungarian Compromise leads to the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with Hungary as a co-equal partner

1919 (Monday, March 21) – Hungarian Soviet Republic established but lasts only for a few months

1945 (Friday, February 13) – World War II ends for Hungary with Soviet occupation

1956 (Monday, October 23) – Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against Soviet-backed government

1989 (Thursday, May 2) – Hungary opens its border with Austria, triggering the collapse of the Iron Curtain

2004 (Sunday, May 1) – Hungary joins the European Union

2010 (Monday, April 25) – Fukushima nuclear disaster impacts Hungary, raising public awareness about nuclear safety

2020 (Monday, March 16) – COVID-19 pandemic leads to national lockdown and economic shutdown

2023 (Saturday, July 15) – Severe flooding in Hungary’s southern region, particularly affecting the towns near the Dráva River, caused by intense rainfall

Continent: Europe
Location: Located in Central Europe, bordered by Austria to the west, Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east, Serbia to the south, Croatia to the southwest, and Slovenia to the northwest.
Capital: Budapest
Language: Hungarian
Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF)
Population: ~9.7 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC +1), Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC +2 in daylight saving time)

Borders: Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia
Landscape: Primarily flat plains and hills, with mountains in the north and west
Major Rivers: Danube River, Tisza River, Dráva River, Mureș River
Major Mountains: Mátra Mountains, Bükk Mountains, Carpathian Mountains (northern border), Zemplén Mountains
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Balaton (largest lake in Central Europe), Lake Neusiedl
Volcanoes: Bükk Mountains contains some dormant volcanic areas
Highest Point: Kékes Mountain – 1,014 m (3,327 ft)
Lowest Point: Tisza River – 78 m (255 ft)
Climate: Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The climate is influenced by the surrounding Carpathian Mountains, leading to more extreme temperature variations. Winters can be snowy, and summers are often warm with occasional thunderstorms.
Geological Features: Hungary lies on a tectonic boundary, which results in occasional seismic activity. The country has a number of thermal springs due to its location near tectonic fault lines.

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Hungarian (~85%), with minorities of Roma, German, Slovak, Serbian, and other smaller groups
Religion: Roman Catholic (~39%), Calvinist (~12%), Lutheran (~3%), Eastern Orthodox (~1%), non-religious (~45%)
Urban Population: ~72% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Hungary is a relatively homogenous country in terms of ethnicity, with most minorities being historical groups like the Roma.

Famous For: Hungarian cuisine, folk music, Budapest, thermal baths, historical architecture
Cuisine: Goulash, Pörkölt (stew), Lángos (fried dough), Hortobágyi palacsinta (stuffed pancakes), Paprika, Dobos torte (layered cake)
Arts: Hungarian Baroque architecture, Art Nouveau, Classical music, Opera
Sports: Football (soccer), water polo, handball, wrestling
Music: Folk music, Classical music (e.g., Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók)
Dance: Csárdás, Polka, Hungarian folk dance

Economy Type: Developed, upper-middle-income economy
GDP: Approx. $280 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Automotive, electronics, machinery, food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals
Key Exports: Vehicles, machinery, electronics, agricultural products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and wine), pharmaceuticals
Unemployment Rate: ~3.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is centered around Budapest and its surrounding region, with significant manufacturing and industrial output in the central and western regions. Agriculture is most prominent in the east and south.

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Katalin Novák (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: Constitution of Hungary, adopted on April 25, 2011

Budapest: The capital, known for its stunning Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, thermal baths, and vibrant nightlife
Lake Balaton: Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake, a popular resort area
Eger: Famous for its wine, historic castle, and thermal baths
Hortobágy National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its vast plains and traditional Hungarian puszta culture
Pécs: Known for its ancient Roman ruins, early Christian tombs, and vibrant arts scene
Tokaj: UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its wine production
Széchenyi Thermal Bath: One of Europe’s largest spa complexes, located in Budapest