PEST - Geography and history
A county surrounding Budapest
The county of Pest is situated in the centre of Hungary and surrounds the capital city, Budapest. The country's geometrical centre is in the county at Pusztavacs. The region has been inhabited since ancient times owing to the waters of the Danube, the intersection of ancient trade routes, and the forests rich in wildlife.
Pest is the third biggest county in area, with 6 394 square kilometres, but is the second most populous both in terms of population number and density after Budapest. Whether by road or rail, the Budapest-centred transport network makes the county of Pest easily accessible from anywhere in the country. The county's 186 settlements, 33 of which are towns, are administered by local governments. Pest is the only county in Hungary which does not have its own autonomous county capital, as Budapest fulfils this role and along with many other county institutions, the Pest County Government is located in Budapest. The connections which link it to the capital are very important for the county, especially for the 80 settlements which form part of the administrative agglomeration of the Budapest.
The county has well-developed industry and significant agriculture: it is more dynamic than other parts of the country and its economic structure makes the adaptation to the changing conditions more flexible. Pest is also a county of science, culture and the arts. It features the picturesque Danube-bend, and the old town of Szentendre is a centre of the arts and a popular tourist destination.
From the hills to the plains
The boundaries of the county of Pest have changed many times in the past, the latest revision was in 1950. It borders 6 other counties and in the north-west the Slovak Republic.
The county's relief is diverse, ranging from mountains to the flatness of the Great Plain. Its north-west and northern areas form a part of the Transdanubian mountain ranges, where dolomite and volcanic rock occur with equal frequency. The hills are covered with forests rich in wildlife: the Pilis Landscape Protection Area with the Pilis Park Forest is probably the best known. The second highest Transdanubian peak, the 757 metres high Pilis is also found here. The vast majority of the county lies in the Great Plain and its southern part on the tableland between the Rivers Danube and Tisza is the largest sandy area in the country.
The county's hilly regions are wetter than the national average, and not as hot as the Great Plain. Temperature fluctuations are also much less severe.
Limestone, sand and gravel
Pest is poor in mineral resources, there are no precious minerals in the county although large quantities of limestone, sand, and gravel are mined for use in the building industry. In the north, the Vác district is particularly rich in limestone and one of the country's biggest companies producing lime and cement is found there. Gravel extraction is carried out mostly south of Budapest on the Danube's alluvial plains. The lakes that are the by-products of mining activities are becoming increasingly popular as weekend recreation destinations.
The Danube splits the county in two, and about 100 kilometres (a quarter of the river's Hungarian section) flows through the county. The county's other major rivers include the Ipoly, which flows into the Danube, and the Galga and the Tápió within the Tisza catchment area. The Danube's water is used in many ways: it is an important source of drinking water, plays a significant role in transport, and offers a wide variety of sporting and recreational opportunities.
The forests, which had been used for building and firewood in earlier times, now primarily have a recreational function, serving as the "lungs" for Budapest. Despite the urban expansion, game is still found there.
An economy capable of development, but with inadequate basic services
As a result of Budapest's close proximity, a relatively well-developed industry and market-oriented agriculture has developed in Pest. The employment levels and thus the economic security of the population are significantly better than in other parts of the country. The favourable natural conditions and the economic infrastructure afford secure foundations for the establishment of both large firms and small businesses. The unique landscape and cultural traditions are a sound basis for a strong tourist sector.
One of the county's most important problems is the high level of environmental pollution associated with the close proximity of the national capital. The level of air pollution is particularly critical, but waste disposal - both industrial and communal - is also a major problem.
The high population concentrations in the urban belt surrounding Budapest remain a particular source of concern. Budapest's accelerated development in the 1960s and the associated increases in employment opportunities drew large numbers of people from every part of the country, often released from agriculture. Without central budgetary assistance, however, local governments were unable to accommodate and provide for the daily needs of the settlers. Consequently, as far as public utilities and the provision of basic services are concerned, the region has become among the worst supplied in the country. Catching up to the level of the rest of the country has always been the goal, and this challenge remains.
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