Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County

Geography

Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg is in the northeastern tip of Hungary. It borders Ukraine (Zakarpattia Oblast), Slovakia (Košice Region), and Romania (Bihor and Satu Mare counties), and has good connections both by road and rail. Within Hungary, the county is bordered by Borsod–Abaúj–Zemplén County and the Tisza River to the north-west and Hajdú–Bihar County to the south-west.

The early Hungarians transformed this region significantly by clearing large areas of forest to make way for pastures and farmland. Approximately 5 to 6 square kilometres of forest were cleared for the construction of the Szabolcs earthwork in the ninth and tenth centuries, and its ruins are still present. The area was the gateway for the Mongol invasion of Hungary in the 1240s, and suffered considerable destruction and population decrease during the raids. With the subsequent development of the country, the region became even more marginalized in the 15th century. Ongoing civil war, rebellion, and war exacted a heavy price and further hindered the region's development.

The county's borders have been altered frequently over the years, its current territory being established in 1950 with the amalgamation of the counties of Szabolcs–Ung and Szatmár–Bereg–Ugocsa.

There are many forests, fields, pastures, meadows, and moorland forests in the county. The bog moss moors at Csaroda, the Nyíres lake, and the Bábtava lake are especially valuable, as they contain many rare species of fauna and flora.

Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg is Hungary's sixth-biggest county with a total land area of 5,936 square kilometres (2,292 square miles). From a geographical aspect, it is possible to divide the county into two main regions: The Upper Tisza Valley and the Nyírség. Tisza is one of the most important rivers of the county, entering Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg — and Hungary — at Tiszabecs, and leaving at Tiszadob. Its segment in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county is 235 kilometres long, out of which 208 kilometres (129 miles) belongs to the Upper Tisza Valley, reaching the area of Tokaj and Rakamaz. The larger area named the Nyírség is derived from the word nyír meaning birch, as the region is dominated by birch woodlands. The northern part of Nyírség is covered with sandy forest soils, the southern areas have loose wind-blown sand. Alluvial and meadow soils are found in the Upper Tisza region.

The Tisza River

The Upper Tisza region has many streams and rivers, but the Nyírség region has little surface water. The most important of the Tisza's tributaries is the river Szamos, which is also characterised by great variations in water volume. There are irrigation systems, a water barrage, and a hydroelectric power station on the Tisza at Tiszalök.

Lakes of various sizes have evolved in sandy areas such as the basin of the Sóstó (Salty lake) of Nyíregyháza, whose alkaline, hydrogen-carbonated waters have medicinal qualities. Many water reservoirs have been built according to local demand. Thermal waters of 55–65 °C can be brought to the surface from wells as shallow as 1,000 metres. The most important thermal water reserves are in Nyíregyháza, Kisvárda, Mátészalka, and Tiszavasvári. The county's geothermal energy still awaits exploitation.

The county has relatively few mineral reserves. Almost all of the large energy source transport systems cross the county.

Demographics

The population of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County was 529,381 as of the 2022 Census, with a population density of 89 individuals per square kilometer (89/km2). The number of households was 200,166 and the number of families was 142,636. Since the 2011 Census, the population decreased by 29,891 (-5.3%).

Ethnicity

In the 2022 Census, the majority (86.8%) of the population identified as Hungarian. A minority of 6.1% identified as belonging to another ethnic group and 10.8% of the population did not respond. The ethnic groups most identified with were Romani (5.1%), Ukrainians (0.3%), and German (0.2%). Small percentages identified as other domestic ethnic groups (0.4%) or other groups (0.2%).

In the 2011 Census, 85.2% of the population identified as Hungarian. Nearly a tenth (8.9%) of the population identified as belonging to another ethnic group and 11.8% did not respond. Romani made up 7.9% of the population, German 0.3%, and Ukrainian 0.2%. Small percentages identified as other domestic ethnic groups (0.3%) or other groups (0.1%).

Religion

In the 2022 Census, 59.2% reported that they were religious adherents. The largest religious communities were Calvinist (29.7%), Roman Catholic (14.1%), Greek Catholic (11.4%), Lutheran (1.6%), and Other Christian denomination (1.7%). Small numbers were affiliated with Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, and other religious groups (0.2%). The non-religious made up 7.6% of the population. A third (33.3%) of the population did not respond.

In the 2011 Census, 71.1% of the population were religious adherents. The largest religious community was Calvinist (34.6%). Others included Roman Catholic (19.4%), Greek Catholic (13.1%), Lutheran (2.0%), Other Christian denomination (1.7%). Small numbers were affiliated with Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, and other religious groups (0.2%). Atheists made up 0.4% of the population and other non-religious made up 7.9%. A fifth (20.6%) of the population did not respond.

In 1930, the population was 47.1% Calvinist, 23.6% Roman Catholic, 18.0% Greek Catholic, 6.7% Jewish, 4.4% Lutheran, and others (0.2%).

Economy

The county borders three countries, and it is the only Hungarian county bordering Ukraine. The railway border crossing toward Ukraine is well developed; its high capacity is able to meet the requirements of transit and bilateral trade. Following the reconstruction of the road border crossing, the county is also able to cope with increased road transportation.

Several regions in the county have tourism potential, mostly unexploited. Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg has several agricultural products of excellent quality, with capacity for higher production. There is an abundance of low-cost, semiskilled labour.

The county's biggest problem is the economic crisis. There is a shortage of local capital and inward investment, which restrains the creation of new jobs, thus the unemployment rate remains the second highest in Hungary. Manufacturing lags the rest of the country, most notably lacking high quality, high-value-added products. The marginal soil quality limits the scope of agricultural production to a few products which suffer from shrinking export markets to the east.

It is home to the Szakoly Power Plant.

Politics

The Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County Council, elected at the 2024 local government elections, is made up of 25 counselors, with the following party composition:

Municipalities

Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County has 1 urban county, 27 towns, 15 large villages and 186 villages.

City with county rights

(ordered by population, as of 2011 census)

Nyíregyháza (118,125) – county seat

Towns

Villages

municipalities are large villages.

Notable people from Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg

Agnes Gallus – Ópályi

Krúdy Gyula – Nyíregyháza

Kállay Miklós – Nyíregyháza

Váci Mihály – Mandabokor II-

Friderikusz Sándor – Nyíregyháza

Victor Varconi né Várkonyi Mihály – Kisvárda

International relations

Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County has a partnership relationship with: