GYOR-MOSON-SOPRON - Geography and history
Hungary's gateway to the West
The county of Gyõr-Moson-Sopron is situated in the north-west corner of the country and borders The Slovak Republic in the north and Austria in the west. As Hungary's gateway to the West, it has in the past often been the scene of bloody conflicts between neighbouring empires. Its settlements have been devastated by Mongol, Czech, and Ottoman armies. In the wake of the Mongol and Ottoman invasions, the emptied villages on the western perimeter of the county were populated by German and Croat settlers. As long ago as the 11th century the cities - Gyor, Moson and Sopron - played a key role in border defence. Over time, they carved out for themselves an active role in east-west commerce.
The 20th century has seen a number of changes to the county's administrative borders. The most important of these was brought about by the Treaty of Trianon following World War I when Gyõr county lost seven villages, and both Moson and Sopron counties lost half of both their territories and populations. The county's present borders were formed following World War II from the territories of the former Gyõr, Sopron, Moson and Pozsony counties.
Owing to its geographical position, the county is the main crossroads between East and West. All the most important roads, railways, and waterways linking Hungary to northern, central and western Europe cross the county. Three rail and eight road border crossings link the county with the neighbouring countries. Its propitious position is favoured further by the fact that the capital cities of two bordering countries are both very near to the boundaries, so that the county, also thanks to the opening of the borders, gains considerable benefits both culturally and economically.
A landscape of forests, vineyards and plough-land
The county has a land area of 4 208 square kilometres, representing 4.5% of the national territory, being the largest county of Western Transdanubia. About 54% of the county?s territory is arable land and 18% is wooded area.
To the west the county is hemmed in by the 300-400 metres high Sopron Hills - the foothills of the Alps, while in the east are the hills of Pannonhalma. Within this basin one finds the county's single largest geographical feature, the Little Plain. With its fertile alluvial soils, the Little Plain is one of the most productive agricultural areas of the country.
There are chestnut forests on the edges of the Sopron hills, whose slopes are well suited for vines. Wine growing is a centuries' old tradition here, and the region is famous for its red wines. The highest slopes of the Pannonhalma Hills are covered with acacia and oak forests. The hills are cultivated, grapes and fruit are grown, while the valleys tend to be plough-land.
Of the county's 182 settlements, 8 are cities. Gyõr, the county capital and the administrative, industrial, commercial, and cultural centre is situated at the mouth of the Rába and Rábca rivers on the Moson branch of the Danube, and at the start of the major road which crosses the county in an east-west direction. Gyõr's area of influence stretches beyond the county's border. Radial road and rail networks link Gyõr with the other county capitals.
Fertile land
The county has few commercially viable mineral resources. The brown coal deposits of the Sopron Hills were exhausted in the 1970s and the mines have been closed. The county's only important mineral resource is the good quality gravel, which is suitable for concrete manufacturing and is found in the river areas, especially near the Danube and the Ikva. The clays mined in the county are used in the region's brick and tile manufacturing industries.
The county's pleasant climate, surface and ground waters and good soils provide favourable conditions for agriculture. Grains, industrial crops and rough fodder all produce good yields. The considerable sources of thermal water are suitable both for medicinal uses and for greenhouse vegetable and flower growing.
The most important of the rivers is, of course, the Danube, which forms the northern border of the county. Cane grows along the wide shores of Lake Fertõ, while there is peat in the Hanság.
Successful north, isolated south
The county enjoys a favourable economic environment and a well-developed settlement network. Its economic performance is good, its foreign economic connections are considerable and the labour force is highly qualified.
The county's border situation is more of an advantage than a hindrance. The county has good relations with the villages across the border especially in Burgenland (Austria) and Csallóköz (The Slovak Republic), which are inhabited by ethnic Hungarians. The open borders attract tourists and visitors and facilitate the maintenance of family ties and traditions. However, with the opening of the borders there has been an inevitable rise in criminal traffic as well.
The south of the county is relatively backwarded in economic and social terms.
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