Dunántúl

Dunántúl, known in English as Transdanubia, is the western half of Hungary. It corresponds to the Transdanubian geographic region and is divided for statistical purposes into Western Transdanubia, Central Transdanubia, and Southern Transdanubia. The Danube forms its eastern boundary, while the Austrian border lies to the west.

Geography and features: The northern part is hilly, with ranges such as the Bakony and Vértes, while the southern areas include river valleys and plains. Lake Balaton, in the central-western part of the region, is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and a major tourist destination. The Dráva River forms part of the southern border with Croatia, and the Danube valley runs through the area, shaping its landscape and economy.

Economy and cities: Dunántúl hosts major urban centers including Győr, Székesfehérvár, Sopron, Veszprém, Szombathely, Kaposvár, and Pécs. The economy combines automotive and other industry (notably around Győr), agriculture, forestry, and wine production, with tourism centered on Balaton, spa towns, and historic cities.

History and culture: The region has a long history of settlements dating to antiquity and developed medieval counties and bishoprics. It formed the western core of the Kingdom of Hungary, with cities such as Székesfehérvár and Pécs playing important historical roles. Parts of the region experienced Ottoman rule in the 16th–17th centuries and were later integrated into the Habsburg domain.