# Nitra Region

The Nitra Region (Slovak: Nitriansky kraj, pronounced; Hungarian: Nyitrai kerület) is one of the administrative regions of Slovakia. It was first established in 1923 and from 1996 exists in its present borders. It consists of seven districts (okres) and 354 municipalities, from which 16 have a town status. The economy of the region focuses more on agriculture, than in other Slovak regions. Nitra is its seat, largest city, and cultural and economic center.

## Geography

This region with a long history is situated in the southwest of Slovakia, mostly in the eastern part of the Danubian Lowland. It is divided into two sub-units: the Danubian Flat in the south-west, with eastern part of the Žitný ostrov island, and the Danubian Hills in the north, centre and east. Mountain ranges reaching into the region are: Považský Inovec in the north-west, where the region's highest point, Veľký Inovec, is located, Tribeč in the north from Nitra, Pohronský Inovec in the north-east and Štiavnické vrchy in the east. Major rivers are the Danube in the south, Váh in the south-west, Nitra in the western-central part, Hron in the east and Ipeľ in the south-east. As for administrative divisions, the region borders Trenčín Region in the north, Banská Bystrica Region in the east, Hungarian Pest in the south-east, Komárom-Esztergom in the south, and Győr-Moson-Sopron county in the south-west and Trnava Region in the west.

## Demographics

The population density in the region is 106/km$^2$ (270/sq mi) (2020-06-30/-07-01), which is very similar to the country's average (110 per km$^2$). The largest towns are Nitra, Komárno, Nové Zámky and Levice. According to the 2001 census, there were 713,422 inhabitants in the region, with a majority of Slovaks (68.3%), but there is a numerous Hungarian minority (27.6%) in the southern districts, forming a majority in the Komárno District (72%) and there are small minorities of Czechs and Roma (<1%).

## Economy and climate

The city of Nitra is also the centre of whole region. The region—which is the warmest in Slovakia—reaches a high production of wheat, rye and vegetables. Significant industries are: the food industry, with breweries in Topoľčany, Nitra and Hurbanovo, are machinery (fridges in Zlaté Moravce, shipyards in Komárno) and energy (Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant).

## Politics

Current governor of Banská Bystrica region is Milan Belica (Smer-SD). He won with 34,1 %. In election 2017 was elected also regional parliament:

### 2017 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD) over many another candidates.
Electoral leader :
| Coalition led by Smer–SD | 17 | 4 | 31,48 % | Jozef Dvonč |
| Independents | 15 | 11 | 27,77 % | Peter Oremus |
| SMK-MKP | 11 | 3 | 20,37 % | Miklós Viola |
| Centre-right coalition | 10 | 4 | 18,51 % | Ján Greššo |
| ĽSNS | 1 | 1 | 1,85 % | Milan Uhrík |

### 2013 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD) over centre-right candidate Tomáš Galbavý (SDKÚ–DS), who was supported by SaS, OKS, NOVA, Most–Híd, SMK-MKP.
| | | Social Democrats | 35.19 | 19 | 4 |
| | | Christian Democrats | 24.07 | 13 | 6 |
| Smer–SD, KDH | Smer–SD, KDH | Smer–SD, KDH | 59.26 | 32 | 10 |
| | | SMK–MKP | 25.93 | 14 | 1 |
| SMK–MKP | SMK–MKP | SMK–MKP | 25.93 | 14 | 1 |
| | | Independents | 7.41 | 4 | 1 |
| Independents | Independents | Independents | 7.41 | 4 | 1 |
| | | SDKÚ–DS | 1.85 | 1 | 8 |
| | | Most–Híd | 1.85 | 1 | 1 |
| | | NOVA | 1.85 | 1 | 1 |
| SDKÚ–DS, OKS, SaS, NOVA, Most–Híd | SDKÚ–DS, OKS, SaS, NOVA, Most–Híd | SDKÚ–DS, OKS, SaS, NOVA, Most–Híd | 5.55 | 3 | 6 |
| | | Nationalists | 1.85 | 1 | 1 |
| SNS | SNS | SNS | 1.85 | 1 | 1 |

### 2009 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica (Smer–SD), who was supported by SDKÚ–DS and KDH.
Electoral leader :
| Smer–SD | 15 | 4 | 27,78 % | Jozef Dvonč |
| SMK-MKP | 13 | 4 | 24,07 % | Arpád Horváth |
| SDKÚ–DS | 9 | 4 | 16,67 % | Tibor Tóth |
| KDH | 7 | 0 | 12,96 % | Ján Vančo |
| ĽS–HZDS | 7 | 3 | 12,96 % | Lýdia Forrová |
| Independents | 3 | 3 | 5,56 % | Anton Marek |

### 2005 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica, who was supported by ASV, KSS, ĽB, ĽS–HZDS, PSNS, ZSNS. His rival in second round of elections was Ján Greššo (DS, SDKÚ).
Electoral leader :
| SMK-MKP | 17 | 14 | 32,69 % | László Fekete |
| Smer–SD | 11 | 9 | 21,15 % | Juraj Horváth |
| ĽS–HZDS | 10 | 10 | 19,23 % | Jozef Hasilla |
| KDH | 7 | 7 | 13,46 % | Ján Vančo |
| SDKÚ | 5 | 5 | 9,62 % | Tibor Tóth |
| SNS | 1 | 1 | 1,92 % | Igor Varga |
| HZD | 1 | 1 | 1,92 % | Albert Hačko |

### 2001 elections

In governor's elections won Milan Belica, who was supported by HZDS, SOP, SDĽ and Centre party. His rival in second round of elections was Miklós Fehér (SMK-MKP).
Electoral leader :
| SMK-MKP | 31 | 59,62 % | Tibor Bastrnák |
| Centre-left coalition | 20 | 38,46 % | Jozef Dvonč |
| SNS | 1 | 1,92 % | Peter Lisý |

## Administrative divisions

The Nitra Region consists of 7 districts. There are 354 municipalities, of which 16 are towns.

## Places of interest

* Nitra with Nitra Castle and Saint Emmeram's Cathedral, Nitra Synagogue, Dražovce church, etc.
* Medieval churches in Kostoľany pod Tribečom and Nitrianska Blatnica
* Chateau and European bison sanctuary in Topoľčianky (Topoľčianska zubria zvernica)
* Šaľa - town with a castle
* The water mill and bridge in Kolárovo
* Komárno with its fortification system, fortress, Elisabeth bridge, etc.
* Iža - Roman military camp Celemantia - UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Štúrovo - Bridge of Mária Valéria
* Levice with Levice Castle, Saint Michael's Church, Levice Town Hall etc.
* Arboretum in Tesárske Mlyňany
* Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area
* Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area

## Photo gallery

* Topoľčany Castle
* Nitra
* Saint Emmeram's Cathedral at Nitra Castle, Nitra
* Pribinas Square with statue of Pribina, Nitra
* Nitra
* Nitra synagogue, Nitra
* Dražovce church, Nitra
* Nitrianska Blatnica church
* Kostoľany pod Tribečom church
* Topoľčianky chateau
* European bison in Topoľčianska zubria zvernica
* Šaľa castle
* Water mill in Kolárovo
* Komárno
* Komárno
* Komárno fortress, Komárno
* Komárno fortification system, Komárno
* Roman military camp Celemantia, Iža (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
* Bridge of Mária Valéria, Štúrovo
* Rotunda in Bíňa
* Levice Castle, Levice
* Levice Town Hall, Levice
* Church of Saint Michael, Levice
* Arboretum Tesárske Mlyňany
* Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area
* Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area