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The Foothills of the Alps / Lake Fertő Region / The Little Hungarian Plain

The Sopron-Fertőd Micro-Region has three cities, 37 smaller communities and about 100,000 inhabitants on an area of 857 km2. Our region is one of the largest micro-regions of the country with its population and area. Our communities are multi-faceted, beginning with the City and County of Sopron with 57,000 inhabitants to the towns of Fertőszentmiklós, with a population of 3,800, Fertőd with 3,400, many villages with between 500 to 2,000 people, down to the smallest, Csér, with just 36 residents. Our region lies in the West-Transdanubian region, in the Western part of the County of Győr-Moson-Sopron. It is bordered on the south by Vas County, and by Austria on the north and west.The natural conditions, historical and cultural values of the region are significant not only regionally but nationally as well. Three different types of landscape, mountains, hills and plains, meet here in complete harmony, creating a diversified whole. The varying landscapes which meet here are distinct from one another with different climates, flora and fauna:

• a continental steppe lake on the plain

• sub-Mediterranean hilly land

• sub-alpine low mountains

The Little Hungarian Plain, Lake Fertő, and the alpine foothills all come together here. This area is unique in all of Europe, where nature shows a thousand different faces. The hills of Sopron have a sub-alpine climate and mountainous features. Here we find numerous rare and protected species of plants and animals. Lake Fertő is Hungary’s second largest lake, and Europe’s westernmost steppe lake. The lake is about 20,000 years old. A large variety of species is found here because of the characteristics of the climate, and the high salt content of the water and the soil of the surrounding area. The Fertő-Hanság National Park is a world heritage site with unique natural values. The area around the lake has a sub-Mediterranean climate. The combined Austrian-Hungarian National Park offers 330 square kilometers of undisturbed landscape where bird lovers can observe countless species of water birds and migratory birds from ornithology stations. There is an imposing view of herds of grey cattle and water buffalo. Here is a place where visitors can retreat from the noise of the world, enjoy peace, and collect unforgettable impressions.

Vineyards are an especially beautiful characteristic of the landscape around Sopron and Lake Fertő, which is a historical wine producing region. The southern and south-eastern part of our micro-region is situated partly on the western area of the Little Hungarian Plain, and partly on the Sopron-Vas lowlands. This variable landscape has complex characteristics of landforms, climate, hydrography, flora and fauna, and is typical of West Europe. If we talk about the incomparable loveliness of West Pannonia, we think of the landscape of eastern Austria and western Hungary. This border region is a bridge between West and Central Europe. It offers many profitable opportunities and shows trend setting examples of investment which promise a positive future development.