Hungary is unique among the places in Eastern Europe.  It is one of the few non-Slavic countries in the region.  Hungary was settled by tribes who migrated southward from Finland and westward from Asia, and the customs and language of the country are more Finnish than Slav.   Hungary has about the same population as The Czech Republic, 10-plus million, but the capital city, Budapest, is twice the size of Prague, having about 2 million residents.  The predominant religion in Catholic.  Hungary, in ancient times, was called Magyar, and there is a move underway to restore that name to the country.  (The name already appears on coins.)  The country is a bit more Western-oriented than it's neighbors, having become a member of NATO in 1999.  Manners are somewhat more formal, less emotional, than in Slavic areas.  Male Hungarians would be horrified at the prospect of being hugged, or kissed on the cheek by another male. 

Hungary, like it's neighbors, was ruled by  Turks and by Austria at one point in history.  The country has been rather unlucky in it's alliances.  Hungary sided with Germany during World War I, and consequently saw it's territory greatly reduced.  One notable area lost to Romania was Transylvania, the traditional home of Dracula.  The country did not actively oppose Hitler, and became an ally, of sorts.  But the country regretted that mistake as the Russian armies approached.  In 1947, Hungary became just another communist country. A 1956 revolution failed.  But in 1965, the local communists became more open, and Hungary was one of the first Iron-Curtain countries to dabble in Western style economic reforms.  By 1988, communism was kaput in Hungary, and the nation became a parliamentary democracy.

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