Overview
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe, spanning much of the Carpathian Basin. It is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, and Austria to the west. The country lies within the Danube River's drainage basin and is dominated by great lowland plains.
With a population of over 9.5 million, Hungary consists mostly of ethnic Hungarians (Magyars) and a significant Romani minority. Hungarian is the official language and is among the few languages in Europe outside the Indo-European family. Budapest serves as the country's capital, largest city, and dominant cultural and economic centre.
Geography and Location
Hungary's strategic position in Central Europe has shaped its history and development. The country's landscape is characterized by vast lowland plains within the Danube River basin, making it one of Europe's most agriculturally significant regions.
Early History
Before the establishment of the Hungarian state, the territory was settled by various groups including Celts, Romans, Huns, Germanic peoples, Avars, and Slavs.
The Roman Empire conquered the territory west of the Danube River between 16 and 15 BC. Pannonia, the western part of the Carpathian Basin, was recognized as part of the Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus in 14 BC. The area east of the Tisza River became the Roman province of Dacia in 106 AD, remaining under Roman rule until 271.
During the Migration Period, various groups invaded Central Europe. The Hunnic Empire (c. 370–469) was particularly influential, with Attila the Hun (434–453) becoming a central figure in Hungarian mythology. After the Hunnic Empire's collapse, the Avars founded the Avar Khaganate in the 560s, maintaining supremacy in the region for more than two centuries. The Franks under Charlemagne defeated the Avars during the 790s, and by the mid-9th century, the Balaton Principality had been established west of the Danube as part of the Frankish March of Pannonia.
Foundation of the Hungarian State
The foundation of the Hungarian state is connected to Hungarian conquerors who arrived from the Pontic-Caspian steppe as a confederation of seven tribes. The Hungarians arrived in the Carpathian Basin under the leadership of Grand Prince Álmos and his son Árpád, founders of the Árpád dynasty. The Hungarian ruling dynasty and state claim descent from Attila the Hun. The Hungarians took possession of the area between 862 and 895 in a pre-planned manner, conducting successful campaigns across Europe. They defeated three major East Frankish imperial armies between 907 and 910, though a defeat at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955 signalled the end of most campaigns toward the west.
Medieval Kingdom
Statehood formally began in the late ninth century with the Principality of Hungary, transforming into a Christian medieval kingdom. In 972, Prince Géza of the Árpád dynasty officially began integrating Hungary into Christian Western Europe. His son, Saint Stephen I, became the first King of Hungary in 1000 after defeating his pagan uncle Koppány. Under Stephen, Hungary was recognized as a Catholic Apostolic Kingdom, with Stephen receiving royal insignia from Pope Sylvester II.
By 1006, Stephen consolidated his power and implemented sweeping reforms to convert Hungary into a Western-style feudal state. The country switched to Latin for administration, which remained the official administrative language until 1844.
King Saint Ladislaus completed Stephen's work, consolidating the state's power and strengthening Christianity. He also intervened in Croatian affairs, invading Croatia in 1091. The Kingdom of Croatia entered a personal union with the Kingdom of Hungary in 1102 with the coronation of King Coloman as "King of Croatia and Dalmatia."
King Béla III was one of the most powerful and wealthiest kings of the Árpád dynasty, disposing of the equivalent of 23 tonnes of silver per year according to contemporary income records.
Ottoman Period and Habsburg Rule
Following defeat by the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the country was split into three regions for over 150 years. Hungary was reunited under Habsburg rule by the turn of the 18th century. Despite subsequent uprisings against Habsburg rule, a compromise in 1867 formed the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, which operated as a European major power until its collapse after World War I.
Modern Era
Hungary's modern borders were established by the 1920 Treaty of Trianon, which resulted in severe losses for the country, including 71% of its historical territory, the majority of its economy and population, and meant a third of ethnic Hungarians now lived outside its borders.
In the early interwar period, Hungary endured turmoil under the nationalist conservative regime of Regent ruler Miklós Horthy. Hungary joined the Axis powers in World War II, suffering significant damage and casualties. Following brief Soviet occupation, the Hungarian People's Republic was established in 1949 as a satellite state within the Warsaw Pact.
Political repression and economic stagnation led to the unsuccessful Hungarian Revolution of 1956, though communist rule softened in following decades. As part of the Revolutions of 1989, Hungary peacefully transitioned into a democratic parliamentary republic. It joined the European Union in 2004 and the Schengen Area in 2007. From 2010 to 2026, under the leadership of Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, the country experienced democratic backsliding.
Economy and Development
Hungary is a high-income economy with universal health care and tuition-free tertiary education. The country has a long history of significant contributions to arts, music, literature, sports, and science and technology.
As a popular tourist destination in Europe, Hungary attracted 24.5 million international visitors in 2019. Hungary is a member of numerous international organizations, including the Council of Europe, EU, NATO, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Visegrád Group.
Etymology
The "H" in Hungary is most likely derived from historical associations with the Huns who settled the region before the Avars. The rest of the word comes from the Latinised form of Byzantine Greek Oungroi. The Greek name may be borrowed from Old Slavonic and Oghur-Turkic origins, with Onogur serving as the collective name for tribes who later joined the Bulgar tribal confederacy ruling the eastern parts of Hungary.
The Hungarian endonym is Magyarország, composed of "magyar" (Hungarian) and "ország" (country). The word "Magyar," which refers to the people of the country, comes from the name of the leading tribe of the seven major semi-nomadic Hungarian tribes.