Alföld

Alföld, known in English as the Great Hungarian Plain, is a vast lowland occupying much of eastern Hungary and extending into parts of the surrounding Carpathian Basin. It constitutes the eastern portion of the Pannonian Plain and is drained by the Danube and Tisza rivers, with a landscape that is predominantly flat to gently rolling.

Geography and soils: The region features expansive floodplains and alluvial soils, including fertile chernozem in some areas. The climate is continental, with hot summers, cold winters, and relatively low precipitation, factors that shape farming and water management.

Hydrology and landscape: The Tisza River runs across the eastern part of the Alföld, while the Danube forms its southern boundary in places. The Hortobágy National Park preserves the characteristic puszta landscape, a symbol of the Hungarian plain.

Economy and settlements: Agriculture is the main land use, with crops such as wheat, corn, sunflowers, and sugar beet, complemented by extensive livestock herding. Large towns like Debrecen in the north and Szeged in the south are important regional centers.

Conservation and culture: The Hortobágy landscape is protected as a national park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting the region’s traditional pastoral culture and the heritage of the csikós horsemen.