Hortobágy National Park

Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Drawing well in the Hortobágy Puszta
LocationCounties of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves, Hajdú-Bihar and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Hungary
CriteriaCultural: iv, v
Reference474
Inscription1999 (23rd Session)
Area74,820 ha
Buffer zone199,380 ha
Websitehttp://www.hnp.hu/en
Coordinates47°35′40″N 21°9′24″E / 47.59444°N 21.15667°E / 47.59444; 21.15667
Official nameHortobágy
Designated11 April 1979
Reference no.189
Hortobágy National Park is located in Hungary
Hortobágy National Park
Location in Hungary
Location of Hortobágy as one of microregions in physical geography of Hungary

Hortobágy (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈhortobaːɟ]) is an 800 km2 national park in eastern Hungary, rich with folklore and cultural history. The park, a part of the Alföld (Great Plain), was designated as a national park in 1973 (the first in Hungary), and elected among the World Heritage Sites in 1999. The Hortobágy is Hungary's largest protected area, and the largest semi-natural grassland in Europe.

Until recently it was believed that this alkaline steppe was formed by the clear cutting of huge forests in the Middle Ages, followed by measures to control the course of the Tisza River, allegedly resulting in the soil's current structure and pH. However, Hortobágy is much older, with alkalinization estimated to have started ten thousand years ago, when the Tisza first found its way through the Great Hungarian Plain, cutting off many streams from their sources in the Northern Mountains. The formation was finished by grazing animals and wild horses during the Ice Age, followed by domesticated animals. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 because of its long cultural history (stretching back more than four millennia), its scenery, and its testimony to traditional methods of pastoralism.

One of its most iconic sites is the Nine-holed Bridge. Traditional T-shaped sweep wells dot the landscape, as well as the occasional mirage of trees shimmering in the reflected heat of the puszta (steppe). Part of the national park is a dark sky preserve.

Hortobágy has also had more negative connotations, as a site of forced labor under the communist regime.

Flora and fauna

Hortobágy is a steppe, a grassy plain with Hungarian Grey cattle, racka, water buffalo, and horses tended by mounted herdsmen called Csikós. It provides habitat for various species including 342 species of birds. The red-footed falcon, stone curlew, great bustard and European roller are represented by breeding populations. The area is an important stopover site for migrating common cranes, dotterels, and lesser white-fronted geese.

Hortobágy is also a center for the breeding of Taurus cattle, one of several attempts to re-create the extinct aurochs.

Gallery

See also

47°36′N 21°06′E / 47.600°N 21.100°E / 47.600; 21.100


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