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Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its capital and largest city is Budapest, and its official language is Hungarian. Hungary is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union.

Geography

Hungary lies in the Carpathian Basin in central Europe and is landlocked. Major geographic features include the Danube River, Lake Balaton, and the Great Hungarian Plain.

Government and politics

Hungary is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral National Assembly. The president serves as head of state, while the prime minister heads the government.

History

Hungary’s history is commonly traced to the arrival of the Magyars in the ninth century. It later formed a medieval kingdom, passed through periods of Ottoman and Habsburg rule, and became a modern independent state after the 20th century.

Language and population

Most residents are ethnic Hungarians, and Hungarian is the official language. Sources describe the population as roughly 9.5 to 9.9 million in recent estimates.

Key facts

  • Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe.
  • Budapest is the capital and largest city.
  • Hungarian is the official language and is not an Indo-European language.
  • Hungary is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union since 2004.
  • The population is about 9.5 million.
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Canadian context

Hungarian is spoken by communities in Canada as part of the Hungarian diaspora, alongside other countries with Hungarian-speaking populations.

Frequently asked questions

What type of country is Hungary?
Hungary is a landlocked parliamentary republic in Central Europe.
What is the capital of Hungary?
Budapest is the capital and largest city.
What language is spoken in Hungary?
Hungarian is the official language.
Is Hungary part of the European Union?
Yes. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004.
What is Hungary’s population?
Recent estimates place it at about 9.5 million to 9.9 million.

References

  1. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/place/Hungary
    Supports: Capital, form of government, official language, and population estimate.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary
    Supports: Capital, population, majority ethnic composition, and official language.
  3. National Geographic Kidshttps://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/Hungary
    Supports: Geography, borders, capital, parliamentary republic, and EU membership.
  4. BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17380792
    Supports: Historical overview, capital, population, language, and country profile.
  5. Encyclopedia.comhttps://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/republic-hungary
    Supports: National Assembly structure and roles of president and prime minister.
  6. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_language
    Supports: Hungarian language use in Hungary and in diaspora communities including Canada.