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.
Hungary, landlocked in eastern Europe, is bordered by seven countrys and divided in half by the Danube River.

Once one of the largest kingdoms in Europe, it suffered through many centuries of invasions, unwanted occupations, two World Wars and the Communist Party.

Recently a free-market economy has emerged; Hungary joined NATO in 1999, and will join the European Union (EU), in 2004.

The country’s crown jewel is the dazzling capital city of Budapest, known for its architectural style, amazingly diverse restaurants, Gypsy music and friendly people.