What Nitriansky kraj is known for

The Nitra Region is one of the eight administrative regions of Slovakia, with Nitra as its cultural and economic center and largest city. The river crossing the city is called Nitra as well. The origin of the name is rather unclear, as for every different language there are different meanings. Slav version of the word Nitra would mean "narrow river," however in Latin the word would translate to 'soda.' The name given to this river is presumably due to the stones at the bottom of the river, which were in the past covered in alcalic salt.[12]

Nitra, as the main city of the region, offers various historical, cultural, and natural attractions. The draws to the area are presumably why 370,000 people decided to visit the area in 2020. [2] Nitra is also an important road junction and a food-processing center because its College of Agriculture was founded in 1952.[13]

The Nitra destination offers many historical sights, such as the Renaissance Castle Chateau Appony, Castle Topoľčianky, or Fortress Komárno, which is the largest fortress system in Slovakia also in Austria-Hungary.[10] This area prides itself not only in history but also in cultural sights, for example, through the Danube Museum or Orthodox synagogue in the city of Šurany. Very well known are open-air museums Brhlovce and Bojná, which offer live and authentic experiences of history. Visitors are encouraged to take a tour throughout rock dwellings, which were used as hideouts from Hungarians in the 18th century.[8] 

One of the reasons for the Nitra Region's touristic popularity presumably is the richness of natural thermal springs and thermal baths with notable therapeutic effects, for instance in Podhájska, Vadaš, or Patince. Among many other, unique attractions that stand out are the Horse-Breeding Farm in Topoľčianky, which is famous for breeding The Lipizzaner – "the horse for kings, the king among horses," as the saying goes. [11] Part of the farm is a hippology museum, which covers everything from various breeds of horses to the room and kitchen of the worker in the stud.

Regarding Slovak industry and business, approximately 20% of Slovakia's electricity needs are covered by Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant. This Power Plant was established in 1982, but as of today, Units 3 and 4 are still under construction. [9] Besides that, the world's famous Jaguar Land Rover enterprise resides in Nitra city.

Geography

Nitra Region has mostly flat and lowland relief, interrupted by hills. Throughout the north of the area stretches Tríbeč Mountain, whereas on the south of the region lies Podunajská Rovina Plain, which is together with Podunajská Pahorkatina hills part of the Podunajská Nížina lowland. 

Some of the most significant rivers that flow throughout this region are Váh, which is also the longest Slovak river, Dunaj- the second-longest river in Europe, Nitra- after this river the city Nitra and also the region is named, or Hron. Regarding the protected areas and landscapes, Nitra region has many which under the protection of Slovak republic or UNESCO, for example Dunajské luhy floodplains, Štiavnické vrchy mountains or Ponitrie. These protected areas cover almost all of the Nitra territory. This region also offers numerous national nature reserves, natural monuments, protected areas, and special protection areas.

Regarding the climate, on average, in May there is an average of 65.0 mm of precipitation, which makes it the wettest month of the year, whereas February is the driest month with 39.0 mm of precipitation. The average amount of precipitation throughout the year is 570.0 mm.[14] Because of these relatively low numbers in the Nitra Region, it is considered one of the warmest and also the driest areas of Slovakia, with annual temperature of 10.4 grade Celsius.[18]

The Nitra Region prides itself as the only place in Slovakia and one of the few places in Europe, where Europe´s largest mammal, the European Bison is bred. Bison, a close relative to American Buffalo, can reach 2.7 meters in length and 1.9 meters in height, the bull can weight as much as one and a half tons and live as long as 30 years. It is proven that Bisons used to be natural part of Europe's forests, as numerous places in Slovakia bear the name of this animal- for instance mountain Zobor which is near Nitra (Zobor is the Slovak word for Bison). In Slovakia, one can see the Bison in the Bison Park in Topoľčianky.[16]

Generally, the Nitra Region offers a colorful mixture of biotopes, which are surviving despite the strong urbanization of the destination. In the Prievidza basin were formed communities with thermophilic plant species. From the north, from mountain ridges, cold-loving species descended to the sites of northern exposures, thus creating great diversity of plants and species.[17]

History

Nitriansky Hrádok, otherwise also known as Slovak Troy, is a relatively small town in the center of the Nitra Region. However, this town prides itself as the richest archeological site in Central Europe. Archeological findings date the finding of this prehistoric settlement back to 3,000 B.C. The most significant discovery is the statue of fertility goddess called Hrádok Venus.[5]

Moving many thousands years forward, Nitra city itself has many historical sights to offer. The city is overlooked by remarkable Nitra castle, whose fortified center was laid by Celts during the Bronze age (circa 1,600 BCE). Since then, the castle hill has been variously inhabited, especially important for the Slovak history is the arrival of the Slavs at the end of the 5th century. The first state Slovaks have established then came into being- the Sam's realm, which led to creation of the Great Moravian Empire in which Nitra, including the landscape around it, constituted Nitra principality.[6] The castle itself was built in the 11th century. [3] The core and beating heart of the castle poses St. Emmeram's Cathedral with the Bishop's residence, originally built in Gothic style. [4]

Until the 14th century, the Nitra Region was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, later transforming to Austria-Hungary. As goes for the rest of Slovakia, after World War I, Czechoslovakia came into being. However, the southernmost parts of the Nitra Region remained under the rule of Hungary. Only after World War II were the borders established the way they are today.[7]