The host city of CEOI 2001, Zalaegerszeg

Zalaegerszeg developed in the south-western part of Hungary, on the edge of the hilly Zala County, on ridges rising above the former marshy valley of the River Zala at an average height of 156 m above sea level. Owing to the terrain configurations, it had been a small L-shaped town until the middle of the 20th century. Its highest point was in the vicinity of the parish-church. One main street was running towards south, the other towards west, and one side of the triangular main square was separated from the marshy fields by the church-yard. During the 2nd half of the 19th century new streets were constructed with bundle-wood placed in the mud every year so that pedestrians and carriages were able to move.

The low-lying parts were embanked and the brook running through the town was controlled with its bed covered up. The southern and western districts of the expanding city reach the gentle slopes of North-Göcsej's hilly landscape. Even the residential areas show more variety and are more suitable for people living here reaching the hillside full of vineyards surrounding the city.

The name of the city comes partly from the River Zala, which is quite a small river with a length of 138 km and with an average flow rate of 6 m3/min. Although the river formed the boundary of the city for centuries, now it is running through the inner ity as a result of annexations and constructions.

The second part in the name of city originates from the alder which could be found everywhere on the marshy fields surrounding the place. 'Szeg' means corner or recess obviously referring to the former geographical situation of the city.

 
Special thanks to Laszlo Zentai for this map.

The county capital had 63130 inhabitants in 1995. The majority of the older generation was not born here, since there were some 13500 people living here half a century ago. On today's territory of the city there were only 20000 people living. The number of inhabitants increased between the 50-s and 70-s, due to immigration.

Most people speak Hungarian as their native language. Only the gipsys, most of them living in the suburbs of Csácsbozsok and Pózva mainly in financially sound circumstances, have an own minority administration.

The majority of people work in services or industrial plants. The number of people making a living in farming is negligible, whereas the number of civil service workers is high, due to the county capital status.

The place of the competition will be the Zrínyi Miklós secondary school, in the center of the town. (Address: Zalaegerszeg, Rákóczi street 30., Tel.: +36-92-312079)

The competition itself will be in the secondary school, the accomodation will be in the college buildings situated 400 m from the school.

 

 Please find below the most important venues of CEOI: