Area: 35,920 sq miles – approx the same size as Ireland ( North and the Republic )
Population: 10 million – almost 2 million live in the capital city Budapest – low migration / movement which indicates the Hungarians are deeply attached to their national, culture and linguistic heritage
Language: 98% Hungarian
Religions: 68% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant, 5% Jewish, 5% Lutheran only 0.5% Muslim ( UK 4.8% )
Currency: Hungarian Forint ( HUF ) – approx 365 HUF to £1 Jan 2014
Politics: Democracy with President and Prime Minister
Economy: Member of the EU since 2004
Average net income approx £100 per week
Major industries Metallurgy, building materials, contract manufacturing, processed foods, chemicals, motor vehicle assembly, pharmeuticals, transport and logistics.
EU accounts for over 66% of trade
Recent History: At the beginning of the 20th Century The Austrian –Hungarian empire was the most powerful entity in Europe. This came to an end during the first World War. In fact Hungary was on the losing side in both World Wars. In 1919 Hungary lost two thirds of its land to Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine.
At the end of the second World War Hungary was under control of the Soviets and Communism introduced despite the low level of support from the Hungarians themselves. The students of Budapest led the uprising against communism in 1956 but the Soviets sent in the troops to quell the uprising.
In 1989 Hungary played an important part in the fall of Communism by opening its borders allowing East Germans to enter Austria. Since then democratic elections have been held and businesses are now privately owned. EU membership was granted in 2004.
Hungary joined NATO in 1999.