Hungary is a land-locked country in central Europe, and has an area of nearly 36,000 square miles which makes it slightly smaller than Indiana. The Western section of the country is hilly with a few low mountains and the eastern section, where Stephanie will be, is a low plain.

It was on this plain, in the fifth century, that tribes from the Ural mountains settled, driving out some of the previous inhabitants and absorbing others into their cultures. Hungary dates its nationhood to the year 1001 when the first king, Stephen, united the various tribes. The birth of Stephen is celebrated as a national holiday on August 20th.

Even a cursory reading of Hungarian history shows the disadvantages of being in the center of Europe as Hungary has sought to maintain its culture and its territory through control by Mongols, Turks, Hapsburgs, Nazis, and Communists. A 1956 revolt against Communism was crushed and just twelve years ago the Communist party gave up its autocracy, the Soviet army left Hungary, a multi-party parliamentary democracy came into being, and the rule of law was restored. Hungary joined NATO, just nine years later, in 1999.

The population of 10 million reflects Hungarys history with residents being of Hungarian, Romani, German, Serbian, Slovakian, and Romanian ancestry. King Stephen, later Saint Stephen, converted the population to Roman Catholicism and today 67 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 20 percent is Calvinist, and 5 percent is Lutheran.

Hungarys economy has changed in the last 50 years from being largely agricultural to more industrial and the nation is working toward membership in the European Union. One thing of interest I found while researching Hungary and Thailand is that with economic statistics you get information about a nations transportation system. Did you know that Budapest, Hungary has Europes oldest subway system? Hungary has 5 heliports and 43 airports: 16 airports are paved and 27 are unpaved. Szolnok, located where two rivers meet, developed into a major port in the tenth century and today is a manufacturing, commercial, and transportation center. There are 28 Rotary clubs in Hungary.

Hungarian food is described as "substantial" and its dishes are flavored with paprika, onions, tomatoes, and sour cream and feature noodles, potatoes, and cabbage. I found one dish named curd dumplings.

And now the big question climate. Hungary is at a latitude of 47 degrees North, about the level of Quebec. Its climate is described as cold and cloudy with humid winters and warm summers.