ZALA - Geography and history
A former handicap becoming an advantage
Zala county is situated in the south-western part of Hungary. It borders upon Croatia and Slovenia in the south, Vas county in the north, Veszprém county in the north-east and Somogy county in the east. The county has a varied scenery with hills alternating with valleys. It is the meeting point of three major geographical territories. Its biggest part belongs to the Western Transdanubian landscape according to geographers. In the north-east the Keszthely mountains, belonging to the Transdanubian mountain range, give variety to it and its south-eastern part spreads across the hilly region of south Zala. Borders have been redrawn several times during history.
The county has a total of 257 settlements, of which 9 are towns, and 248 are villages. There are also built-up areas around Zalaegerszeg, Nagykanizsa and the group of settlements constituting the Balaton region around Keszthely. The county of Zala covers 4.1 % of Hungary's surface with 2.9 % of the country's population living here. More than 8% of Hungary's settlements can be found here.
Zala's geographical position is quite favourable, and the county's western border provides the population with wide-ranging opportunities for development. The small, but well-developed shore region of Lake Balaton also attracts many tourists, as do the natural beauty of Keszthely and the health spas of Hévíz and Zalakaros.
Gently sloping hills and forests
Zala's varied landscape of hills and valleys covers a land area of 3 784 square kilometres representing 4.1% of the country. The forested area covered 31% of total area of the county, and Zala was the third county with the most important forest area (118 200 hectares). The settlement density is one of the highest in Hungary; but the average size of the settlements is less than half the national average. The present surface of the county developed through long lasting complicated geological processes showing strongly transitional features. It has no distinctive isolation from adjacent territories: you see a transition through a series of grades. In the north-western part of the county, the hilly landscape along the river Kerka comprised of three smaller areas is spread on former taluses of Ancient Mura River. The terraced valleys of Kerka River and the brooks' of Szentgyörgyvölgyi and Kebele sink among the hills. Further in the south the hills of Lenti hollow arise to 160-170 m being the border of the county and the country at the same time. The hilly landscape of north Göcsej is situated within an asymmetric rectangular shape of Zalalövõ - Zalaegerszeg - Bak - Lenti, surrounded by the rivers of Felsõ-Zala, Felsõ-Válicka, Cserta and Kerka. The highest point of the region can be found here, Kandikó being as high as 302 m. One of Hungary's typical and well-known regions is located in this hilly landscape.
The region's climate is moderated by the fact that it is in the country's south-west and close to the Alps. Thus, winters are relatively mild and summers tend to be cooler than the norm for the Carpathian Basin. Owing to the climate and the great variety in the landscape, the vegetation cover is also diversified: the most significant element being the continuous forests covering the hillsides. Zala is rich in game and is the favourite hunting ground for many Hungarian and foreign hunters.
Few natural resources, but plentiful water
Zala has relatively few natural resources. Following decades of severe poverty, the discovery of oil and natural gas in 1937 was a breakthrough, for it changing profoundly the profile of the region and the lives of its inhabitants. Today, secondary production continues at the almost exhausted oil wells, but this activity still provides a livelihood for many people. Apart from the oil, only the commercial quantities of limestone in the Keszthely hills can be regarded as an economically viable mineral resource.
On account of its relatively cool and moist climate and broken terrain, the county has a dense network of watercourses. The county's largest river is the Zala, which in the past powered many water mills. Following the draining of the swamps and regulation of the water levels, it now has a regular bed. The River Mura - which serves as a section of the international border - also brings great quantities of water into Hungary.
Good geographical situation with infrastructural problems
Connections with Burgenland pay dividends, with many Austrians investing into the county. The commercial and trade relations established with neighbouring Croatia and Slovenia also bode well for the future.
The future of the oil industry in Zala will have a significant influence on the economy. The continuation of the testing of third generation oil production technologies in the county remains viable for the time being.
An important task for the tourist industry is further to develop the tourist potential of the thermal waters, the villages and Lake Balaton.
|
|