NORTHERN GREAT PLAIN - Geography and history
Preserved region although historic battles
Northern Great Plain, which embraces three counties (Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Hajdú-Bihar and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg), is bordered by Romania and the Ukraine from the east, by the River Tisza from the north and by Hungarian counties from the south. The monotony of its plains is disrupted by saliferous and fresh-water lakes, dead channels surrounded by reeds, acacia trees and the blue ribbons of rivers flowing into the Tisza. Its territory covers nearly half of the Hungarian Great Plain, with an area of 17 729 square kilometres.
Flourishing settlements were developed in the area after the conquest of the Magyars, devastated by the Mongol invasion in 1241, and blocking their development for several decades. The history of Nyíregyháza provides an appropriate example for this process. The Turks hardly managed or did not manage at all to invade the northern parts of the region: therefore, many buildings from Árpád's age and the Medieval Era were preserved in relatively good state. In the Romanesque church of Csaroda, there are wall paintings dating back to the 13th century, and the Medieval churches of Nyírbátor have been almost completely preserved. In the 16th century, the spread of Protestantism brought about changes in town life. Debrecen became not only the fortress of Calvinism but a cultural centre as well for a long time. The Vay Palace at Vaja provides a nice example of 17-18th century palaces.
Important primary sector
In terms of Gross Domestic Product per inhabitant, the region registered EUR 3 771 in 2001. This is relatively low compared to the rest of the country, and only Northern Hungary registered a lower value. Although between 1995 and 2001, the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product of the region was under that of the country, it must be noticed that between 2000 and 2001, the rise was higher in the region (20.0%) compared to the national average (14.7%).
In 2001, the region accounted for 10.2% of the Gross Value Added of the country, a share which is constant over the years. The share of the primary sector in the Gross Value Added was 8.6% - twice as high has the national average. Regarding the secondary sector, its share in the GVA was comparable in the region (31.6%) and at the national level (31.3%). The share of the tertiary sector was consequently lower in the region (59.8% against 64.4% nationally).
The region is twice as rich in tourist attractions as the national average. The medicinal waters of Hajdúszoboszló are famous internationally, and many people visit the spas of Nyíregyháza-Sóstó, Debrecen as well as Szolnok. Tourists can have a relaxing rest in the thermal baths or get cured from the world famous health spas with their curative waters. The region has a special natural treasure: thermal and curative waters replete with special types of minerals.
A folk place with historical relics
There are many relics of the characteristic folk architecture and folk traditions. The church of Tákos and the belfry of Nyírbátor Reformed Church are beautiful examples for church ceilings of painted wood panels and wooden bell belfries characteristic of the Nyírség area. The water mill in Túristvándi is a monument of industrial history. In the open-air museum of Nyíregyháza, one can find residential houses characteristic of the region.
The protected habitats of Hortobágy National Park and Körös-Maros National Park preserve a unique flora and fauna. In the area of Csaroda and Bátorliget, the remnants of the ancient peat moss marsh are still observable. There are huge ancient trees in the nature park of Tiszakürt. The plants of the already more famous Szarvas nature park originate from here.
The Hortobágy National Park became a World Heritage Site in the heart of Europe and is unique in its preservation of its treasures. The area of the National Park is of 81 000 hectares. Whoever looks at this area as just the "Puszta" would be wrong: a good part of the area is salty meadows but there is a huge lakes system here as well. More than 40% of this area is boggy, marshy and swampy.
Horses and riding are inseparable from Northern Great Plain. A lot of people come in Northern Great Plain just for this activity. There are a lot of riding schools in the region for people interested in equestrian sports.
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