The Small-Region North Balaton, with its 20 settlements is like 2 pearl necklaces situated on the north, north-east part of County Veszprém....

On the shore, on the long-distance road No.71, from Paloznak to Balatonszepezd, on the highland, upon the shore, from Balatonszőlős to Monoszló. Its territory is: 318 km2; its population: around 22000 Persons. Geologically shows the small-region very different views: near the shore are plane areas also to find, but the peninsula Tihany rises high above the plane of the lake. When we depart from the shore, we can see small and high hills, and valleys. Part of the territory is Nivegy Valley, it is opened to Lake Balaton, the Pécselyi basin is closed by hills to the lake. The valley of Koloska Brook connects the Balaton Highland with the shore like a pass. It is situated at the border of village Csopak. Wide fields, big forests, and vineyards with growing significance, are taking part in the life of the local inhabitants, they are categories, elements in the country and touristic attractions in one. The nature of this country is very variable, there are while the excursions lot of hidden values to find: springs and brooks, like the Mosó Spring in Óbudavár, the Árva Well in Szentjakabfa, the Zádor Well in Pécsely, the Nagy Spring in Vászoly, the Brook Séd in Csopak, the Arácsi Brook, the Séd, the Séd of Örvényes, the Inner and the Outer Lakes in Tihany. Because Lake Balaton is near, the water had everytime its significance, and its tradition. Every settlement has it own historical or popular monument: castles, churches, or ruins of churches, Supreme Courts, baroque styled and aged farm houses, crosses, mills. Balatonfüred is the most important settlement of the region: it was and is, the centre of this country in every aspect. We can see it on the buildings and traditions of the city. Economically is the major part of the region the tourism. Most of the inhabitants have something to do with it: they are working either in the tourism branch, or in the viniculture. The presence of this two economical branches is in the training of manpower also to see: the agriculture in Balatonfüred (Secondary School Ferenc Széchenyi), the tourism in Zánka (in the Youth Centre). Except Balatonfüred are Tihany and Csopak the largest settlements in the region. 14 villiges have less than 500 inhabitants. The population of the region is getting older. The number of births is sinking, many young people are trying their luck somewhere else. There are lot of visitors, settlers. Most of them are well situated, middle-aged people, and are doing many things for their chosen village; they organise events, and are many times their sponsors also.

The region started to walk on the way of development. Its target is: to realize the active tourism. The inhabitants are nice, hospitable people, and they know, that todays is the quality of the tourism very important. That is the reason, why developments in the region have started, and therefore are they continuing.

http://www.balatonfuredregio.hu/