The lifeblood of Hungary the grand Danube River flows through its center, dividing the landlocked European country almost in half. This accessibility to the waterway may have prompted the mighty Magyars (Hungarians) to move to this area from Asia more than a thousand years ago. These hardy aborigines are distinct from the Germanic and Slavic races that surround them.
East of the Danube River are fertile plains, while hills characterize the western and northern portion of the country. Hungary became the model for a hybrid communist rule, Eastern Europe's purveyor of "goulash communism," a blend of personal freedom, prosperity, and a free scent of free enterprise. So, while other countries in the regions suffered shortages, Hungary on the other hand had the upper hand with boutiques, cafe's and caviar sold in the streets of Budapest.
However by the late 80's, reform minded Hungarians had lost faith in communism, particularly when met with sagging productivity and the highest per capita debt among countries in Eastern Europe. Thus in 1989 the government finally abolished censorship, dismantled the barriers along the Austrian border, and executed laws for the privatization of the industry, reinstated religious freedom and ordered free elections.
Since then, foreign investment and private companies have flourished, the economy have grown strong and so far is experiencing low inflation and falling interest rates. Signs that Hungary is finally following a pattern to strengthen its resolve and fuel national pride.
Hungary's National Flag, a horizontal tricolor of red, white and green, adopted as the official emblem since October 1, 1957 best exemplified the struggle for self-determination. The
custom flag coexisted with the people's desire for change and has since stood for the ideals attained in the process.
by:
The Flagman
