While tradition holds that the first settlers in modern day Hungary were the Huns, who arrived sometime after the fall of the Roman Empire, it was actually the Magyars, who left the Ural Mountains and settled in the area sometime after 895 AD, who became the forerunners of modern Hungary.  The country was officially founded as a kingdom in 1000 AD by St. Stephen, crowned as Hungary’s first king by the Catholic Church. Throughout its history, Hungary has gained and lost its independence repeatedly in battles with the Turks, the Austrians, and other regional invaders. Hungary made an agreement with the Hapsburgs in 1867 to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  This relationship lasted until the beginning of World War I.  It was the assassination of the presumed heir to the throne that initiated the war in Europe.

After WWI, the Treaty of Trianon (Treaty of Paris) created new borders for the country of Hungary.  It was at this time that more than sixty percent of the nation was given to neighboring countries.  Because of this more than one-third of Hungarians currently live outside of their nation’s borders.

Hungary was occupied by Russia beginning in World War II until the wall fell in 1989.  During this time Hungary was known as the most independent of the Eastern bloc countries, even attempting a coup known as the 1956 revolution. However, their attempts at gaining freedom were abandoned when they failed to receive help from Western countries.   The result was many years of oppression by the communist policies.  Christians faced harsh restrictions during this time, such as being unable to attend universities and hold jobs as teachers, or work in any public institution. When the Berlin Wall came down and Hungary gained its freedom in 1989, Hungary was the first country to have a privatized economy and show economic growth.  Hungary is now a member of the European Union and is learning how to survive with its new economy and political status.   The average income in Hungary is equivalent to about $16,300 USD per year, with over 50% of that going toward taxes.   

Population 10,106,017 (2001 est.)
People Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%
Religion: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%
Missionary Ratio: 1:20,667

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