Hungary: Europe's odd man out

Budapest card sent by mum in 2006

In many ways, Hungary is an odd one out in Europe. Its Uralic language has more in common with the languages of Finland and Estonia than its European neighbours. The capital, Budapest, was severely damaged in WWII and remnants of the battle are still evident in secluded pockets of the city.

 Hungary, officially Magyarország, is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of nearly 10 million. Its vibrant capital is Budapest, a city famed for its abundant natural thermal springs, with over 1,300 across the nation. The country is dominated by the Great Hungarian Plain and home to Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake, nicknamed the "Hungarian Sea". 

A member of the EU and NATO, Hungary has a rich history, having been a Christian kingdom since A.D. 1000. Its unique official language, Hungarian, belongs to the Uralic family and is unrelated to most other European languages. Hungarians have contributed significantly to science and technology, inventing items like the ballpoint pen and the Rubik's Cube. The national dish is goulash, a hearty stew seasoned with paprika.