Joanne Mattern - Hungary

Hungary is a country in eastern Europe. It has many different landscapes, including mountains, rivers, and lakes. There are also flat plains and thick forests, and even hidden caves! Hungary has both beautiful farms in the countryside and big, modern cities.

Hungary is surrounded by other countries. It does not border any oceans. However, the Danube River is an important waterway that runs through the middle of the country.

Almost ten million people live in Hungary. The nation has a long and interesting history. Hungarys people are friendly. They work hard, but they also enjoy sports and music. They celebrate holidays and eat delicious foods. Hungary is a fascinating and interesting nation to explore.

The Danube River flows through the city of Budapest, splitting it in two.

Hungary covers 35,919 square miles (93,030 square kilometers). Austria and Slovenia neighbor Hungary to the west. Croatia and Serbia lie to the south. Romania is east of Hungary. Ukraine and Slovakia border Hungary to the north.

This map shows Hungary and its neighbors.

Budapest was once two separate cities, named Buda and Pest. They became one city in 1873.

Under the Earth

There are hundreds of caves underneath northwestern Hungary. These caves are part of Aggtelek National Park. Thousands of people visit every year.

Inside the caves at Aggtelek National Park

During the 800s CE, a group of tribes called the Magyars started ruling what is now Hungary. Their leader, Arpad, is called the of Hungary. In the year 1000, Arpads greatgreat- grandson, Stephen, became the first king of Hungary.

A carving of Stephen, the first king of Hungary

Hungary became a large and powerful country. However, other countries took some of its land. During the 1800s, Hungary and Austria joined to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The empire was destroyed during World War I. After the war, Hungary had to give up much of its land.

In 2012, Hungary changed its name from the Republic of Hungary to just plain Hungary.

A Shrinking Nation

After World War I, Hungary shrank from 125,641 square miles (325,409 sq km) to its present size.

This map shows all the countries that once made up the empire of Austria-Hungary.

Hungary is a parliamentary republic. Its government is split up into three parts: executive, legislative, and judicial.

A National Assembly meeting in May 2018

The president and the prime minister make up the executive part. The prime minister has the most power. He or she appoints people to lead different departments. The prime minister is elected to a four-year term.

Hungarys national anthem is called Himnusz. It became the national anthem in 1844.

Hungarys Capital

Budapest is the capital of Hungary. About 1.8 million people live there.