Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen County

The land of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County is the meeting point of two major geographical regions of Hungary: the Northern Uplands (Északi-középhegység) and the Great Plain (Alföld). Treasuring a great wealth of historical, cultural and natural assets, the region also has two World Heritage Sites: the karst cave system of Aggtelek and the historical wine growing area Tokaj-hegyalja.

Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County is situated in the northeastern corner of Hungary. Its neighbours are Slovakia to the north-northeast, Nógrád County to the northwest, Heves County to the west, Szolnok, Hajdú-Bihar County and Szabolcs-Szatmár County to the south and southeast. The natural border to the southeast is created by the River Tisza.

The county covers 7,248 square kilometres and numbering 749,000 inhabitants it is the second most populated county in Hungary after Pest County. 180,000 live in Miskolc and thus the city is home to 24 per cent of the county's total population.

The county seat is Miskolc, other cities in the county are Abaújszántó, Borsodnádasd, Cigánd, Edelény, Emőd, Encs, Felsőzsolca, Gönc, Kazincbarcika, Mezőcsát, Mezőkövesd, Nyékládháza, Ózd, Putnok, Sajószentpéter, Sárospatak, Sátoraljaújhely, Szendrő, Szerencs, Szikszó, Tiszaújváros and Tokaj.

The E96 international main road running through the county connects Hungary with Slovakia and Poland. An international railway line also operates parallel to this road.

Although insignificant in terms of transportation, the rivers Tisza and Bodrog provide a perfect environment for active water tourism. Lakes afford further opportunities for water sports, the best known being those near Miskolc.

There are several natural thermal springs in the county and numerous thermal baths have been built to utilise the healing properties of the waters. Leisure and health care centres have also been developed around the Zsóry Thermal Baths a Mezőkövesd, as well as the Bogács and Tiszaújváros Spas. Unique in Europe, the Miskolctapolca Cave Bath (barlangfürdő) has natural cave pools created by the water. 

Three National Parks protect the natural treasures of the region: the Bükk and the Aggtelek National Parks and in the south of the county a section of the Hortobágy National Park. Alongside the national parks, several nature reserves also provide for pleasant hiking tours. Part of the game stock of the forests may be hunted.

Gastronomically part of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County belongs to a wine-producing region. The world famous aszú-producing Tokaj wine district and the Bükk wine growing area are both located in this county.

The county has a rich and colourful cultural life. Especially noteworthy are two international summer festivals; the 'Bartók+...' Miskolc International Opera Festival held in June and the Zemplén Festival in August both attract thousands of visitors each year.