Hungary

Hungary is a small, landlocked country in central Europe. Great economic and social changes have occurred in Hungary since the late 1940's.

Before that time, most of the country's income came from agriculture, and the majority of Hungarians lived in rural areas and worked on farms. But Hungary's economy has become increasingly industrialized.

Today, manufacturing and other industries contribute more to the national income than does farming. More Hungarians now work in industry than on farms. Almost a fifth of Hungary's people live in Budapest, the country's capital and largest city.

A Short Background

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow.

In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy.

Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

Population:

10,106,017 (July 2001 est.)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%

Languages:

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

Location:

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Geographic coordinates:

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Currency:

forint (HUF)

Currency code:

HUF

Exchange rates:

1 EURO to Hungarian Forint: 251,484 (April 2004)