Heves County

Tourist sights

Lake Tisza

Bükk National Park

Bélapátfalva, abbey

Castle and City of Eger

Erdőtelek Arboretum

Feldebrő, 11th century Romanesque church

Gyöngyös, Mátra Museum

Hatvan, Grassalkovich mansion

Kisnána castle

Noszvaj, De la Motte mansion

Parád

Sirok castle

Szilvásvárad, Szalajka Valley

Szarvaskő, castle ruins

Geography

Heves county is a geographically diverse area; its northern part is mountainous (the Mátra and Bükk are the two highest mountain ranges in Hungary), while at south it includes a part of the Great Hungarian Plain. From south it is bordered by Lake Tisza, the largest artificial lake in Hungary. The average temperature is between 8 and 10 °C (higher on the southern parts of the county).

Rivers

Zagyva

Tarna

Tisza

Laskó

Highest point

Kékestető, Mátra Mountains (1014 m; highest in Hungary)

Lowest point

Kisköre (86 m.)

History

The county was a primary target for the Ottoman Empire during the Ottoman-Hungarian Wars where the Siege of Eger took place.

Demographics

The population of Heves County was 285,892 as of the 2022 Census, with a population density of 79 individuals per square kilometer (79/km2). The number of households was 118,802 and the number of families was 77,333. Since the 2011 Census, the population decreased by 22,990 (-7.4%).

Ethnicity

In the 2022 Census, the vast majority (85.9%) of the population identified as Hungarian. A minority of 5.9% identified as belonging to another ethnic group and 11.4% of the population did not respond. The ethnic groups most identified with were Romani (4.8%), German (0.2%), and Ukrainian (0.2%). Small numbers identified as Slovak (344), Romanian (324), Ruthenian (112), or other domestic ethnic groups (365) or other groups (757).

In the 2011 Census, 83.4% of the population identified as Hungarian. Less than a tenth (7.1%) of the population identified as belonging to another ethnic group and 13.9% did not respond. Romani made up 6.3% of the population, German (0.2%), Slovak (0.2%) and Romanian (0.1%). Small numbers identified as other domestic ethnic groups (534) or other groups (563).

Religion

In the 2022 Census, just over half of the population (51.4%) were religious adherents. The largest religious community was Roman Catholic (38.5%). Other communities included Calvinist (4.4%), Greek Catholic (0.5%), Lutheran (0.3%), Orthodox Christian (0.1%), Other Christian denomination (1.7%), and other religious affiliations (0.2%). Small numbers (less than 100) were affiliated with Judaism. The non-religious made up 14.1% of the population. More than a third (39.0%) of the population did not respond.

In the 2011 Census, 59.2% of the population were religious adherents. The largest religious community was Roman Catholic (52.1%). Others included Calvinist (4.8%), Greek Catholic (0.4%), Lutheran (0.4%), Other Christian denomination (1.3%), and other religious affiliations (0.2%). Small numbers were affiliated with Judaism and Orthodox Christianity. Atheists made up (1.0%) of the population and other non-religious made up 14.0%. Just over a quarter (25.8%) of the population did not respond.

In 1930, the population was 91.6% Roman Catholic, 5.2% Calvinist, 2.4% Jewish, 0.5% Lutheran, and others (0.3%).

Politics

County Assembly

The Heves County Council, elected at the 2024 local government elections, is made up of 15 counselors, with the following party composition:

Presidents of the General Assembly

The following members elected of the National Assembly during the 2022 parliamentary election:

Municipalities

Heves County has 1 urban county, 10 towns, 3 large villages and 107 villages.

City with county rights

(ordered by population, as of 2011 census)

Eger (56,569) – county seat

Towns

Large villages

Villages

International relations

Heves County has a partnership relationship with:

References and notes

References

Notes