Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County

Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg (, ) is an administrative county (Hungarian: vármegye) in northeastern Hungary, bordering Slovakia (Košice Region), Ukraine (Zakarpattia Oblast), and Romania (Bihor and Satu Mare counties). It shares borders with the Hungarian counties Hajdú–Bihar and Borsod–Abaúj–Zemplén. The capital of Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg county is Nyíregyháza.

Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County was organised after World War II from the previous counties Szatmár–Ugocsa–Bereg and Szabolcs. Before 1991, it was called Szabolcs-Szatmár 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 . 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 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 county has a continental climate; it is cooler than the Great Plain because it is further north. Summers are cooler than in other parts of the Plains. Annual precipitation is 550–600 millimetres. The higher than average number of days of sunshine make ideal conditions for the growing of tomatoes, sunflower, tobacco, apples, and other fruits such as plums—for which the county is famous, being eaten fresh, dried into prunes (some made into lekvar) and fermented into well-known brandies.

The county has 229 settlements, of which 20 are towns. The county capital and largest city is Nyíregyháza with a population of 116,900 in 2003. The other cities have relatively small populations, only those of Kisvárda and Mátészalka having around 18,000 inhabitants. The eastern part of the county is lightly populated and is dotted with small villages which often have very poor economic conditions.

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.2011. ÉVI NÉPSZÁMLÁLÁS, 3. Területi adatok, 3.16 Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg megye,

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%).

Regional structure

No.English andHungarian names Area (km²) Population (2022) Density (pop./km²) Seat No. ofmunicipalities1Baktalórántháza District Baktalórántházai járás 254.47 17,398 68Baktalórántháza122Csenger District Csengeri járás 246.51 12,538 51Csenger113Fehérgyarmat District Fehérgyarmati járás 707.37 35,358 50Fehérgyarmat504Ibrány District Ibrányi járás 304.91 21,954 72Ibrány85Kemecse District Kemecsei járás 246.41 20,618 84Kemecse116Kisvárda District Kisvárdai járás 523.09 51,413 98Kisvárda237Mátészalka District Mátészalkai járás 624.70 60,077 96Mátészalka268Nagykálló District Nagykállói járás 377.36 28,447 75Nagykálló89Nyírbátor District Nyírbátori járás 695.94 39,865 57Nyírbátor2010Nyíregyháza District Nyíregyházi járás 809.61 162,969 201Nyíregyháza1511Tiszavasvári District Tiszavasvári járás 381.61 26,260 69Tiszavasvári612Vásárosnamény District Vásárosnaményi járás 617.94 34,880 56Vásárosnamény2813Záhony District Záhonyi járás 145.95 17,604 121Záhony11 Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County 5,935.83 529,381 89Nyíregyháza229

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:

Party Seats Current County Assembly  Fidesz-KDNP 17                                       Our Homeland Movement 4                                       Democratic Coalition 2                                     Association for Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County 2                                    

Presidents of the General Assembly List of presidents since 1990Önkormányzati választások eredményei Oszkár Seszták (Fidesz-KDNP)2014–

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

Mátészalka (17,195) Kisvárda (16,986) Újfehértó (12,931) Tiszavasvári (12,848) Nyírbátor (12,719) Nagykálló (9,702) Vásárosnamény (8,471) Fehérgyarmat (7,893) Ibrány (6,801) Nyírtelek (6,654) Balkány (6,387) Nagyecsed (6,374) Tiszalök (6,157) Nagyhalász (5,632) Csenger (4,853) Kemecse (4,755) Nyírmada (4,713) Rakamaz (4,555) Demecser (4,246) Mándok (4,191) Záhony (4,062) Dombrád (3,954) Baktalórántháza (3,916) Ajak (3,625) Vaja (3,608) Nyírlugos (2,789) Máriapócs (2,186)

Villages

Anarcs Apagy Aranyosapáti Balsa Barabás Bátorliget Benk Beregdaróc Beregsurány Berkesz Besenyőd Beszterec Biri Botpalád Bököny Buj Cégénydányád Csaholc Csaroda Császló Csegöld Csengersima Csengerújfalu Darnó Döge Encsencs Eperjeske Érpatak Fábiánháza Fényeslitke Fülesd Fülpösdaróc Gacsály Garbolc Gávavencsellő Gelénes Gemzse Geszteréd Géberjén Gégény Győröcske Győrtelek Gyulaháza Gulács Gyügye Gyüre Hermánszeg Hetefejércse Hodász Ilk Jánd Jánkmajtis Jármi Jéke Kállósemjén Kálmánháza Kántorjánosi Kék Kékcse Kérsemjén Kisar Kishódos Kisléta Kisnamény Kispalád Kisszekeres Kisvarsány Kocsord Komlódtótfalu Komoró Kótaj Kölcse Kömörő Laskod Levelek Lónya Lövőpetri Magosliget Magy Mánd Márokpapi Mátyus Mezőladány Méhtelek Mérk Milota Nagyar Nagycserkesz Nagydobos Nagyhódos Nagyszekeres Nagyvarsány Napkor Nábrád Nemesborzova Nyírbéltek Nyírbogát Nyírbogdány Nyírcsaholy Nyírcsászári Nyírderzs Nyírgelse Nyírgyulaj Nyíribrony Nyírjákó Nyírkarász Nyírkáta Nyírkércs Nyírlövő Nyírmeggyes Nyírmihálydi Nyírparasznya Nyírpazony Nyírpilis Nyírtass Nyírtét Nyírtura Nyírvasvári Olcsva Olcsvaapáti Ófehértó Ópályi Ököritófülpös Ömböly Őr Panyola Pap Papos Paszab Pátroha Pátyod Penészlek Penyige Petneháza Piricse Porcsalma Pócspetri Pusztadobos Ramocsaháza Rápolt Rétközberencs Rohod Rozsály Sényő Sonkád Szabolcs Szabolcsbáka Szabolcsveresmart Szakoly Szamosangyalos Szamosbecs Szamoskér Szamossályi Szamosszeg Szamostatárfalva Szamosújlak Szatmárcseke Székely Szorgalmatos Tarpa Tákos Terem Tiborszállás Timár Tiszaadony Tiszabecs Tiszabercel Tiszabezdéd Tiszacsécse