Banská Bystrica Region
Banská Bystrica Region
Banskobystrický kraj | |
|---|---|
From the top to bottom-left; Low Tatras, Banská Bystrica, Špania Dolina, Hronsek, Svätý Anton Manor House, Banská Štiavnica, Telgárt viaduct, Poľana mountain over Detva | |
Banská Bystrica Region | |
| Country | |
| Capital | Banská Bystrica |
| Government | |
| • Body | County Council of Banská Bystrica Region |
| • Governor | Ondrej Lunter (Independent) |
| Area | |
• Total | 9,454 km2 (3,650 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,046 m (6,713 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 135 m (443 ft) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Total | 614,356 |
| • Density | 64.98/km2 (168.3/sq mi) |
| GDP | |
| • Total | €7.121 billion (2016) |
| • Per capita | €10,917 (2016) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | SK-BC |
| Website | www |
The Banská Bystrica Region (Slovak: Banskobystrický kraj, pronounced [ˈbanskɔbistritskiː ˈkraj]; Hungarian: Besztercebányai kerület, pronounced [ˈbɛstɛrt͡sɛbaːɲɒi ˈkɛrylɛt]) is one of the eight regions of Slovakia. It is the largest of the eight regions by area, and has a lower population density than any other region. The Banská Bystrica Region was established in 1923; its borders were last adjusted in 1996. Banská Bystrica consists of 514 municipalities, 24 of which have town status. Its administrative center is the eponymous town of Banská Bystrica, which is also the region's largest town. Other important towns are Zvolen and Lučenec.
Geography
[edit]It is located in the central part of Slovakia and has an area of 9453.97 km2.[2] The region is prevailingly mountainous, with several ranges within the area. The highest of them are the Low Tatras in the north, where the highest point, Ďumbier, is located. Some of the mountain ranges in the west include Kremnica Mountains, Vtáčnik and Štiavnica Mountains. The Javorie and Krupina Plain ranges are located in the centre. The Slovak Ore Mountains are running from the central areas to the east, along with its subdivisions (e.g. Poľana, Veporské vrchy, Muránska planina and Spiš-Gemer Karst). Lower lying areas are located in the south, represented by the Southern Slovak Basin, running along the borders with Hungary. Major rivers are the Hron in the northern half, Ipeľ in the south and centre, Rimava and for short length Slaná in the east. As for administrative division, the region borders Žilina Region in the north, Prešov Region in the north-east, Košice Region in the east, Hungarian Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county in the south-east, Nógrád county in the south and Pest county in the south-west, Nitra Region in the west and Trenčín Region in the north-west.
Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 598,697 | — |
| 1980 | 636,192 | +6.3% |
| 1991 | 659,341 | +3.6% |
| 2001 | 662,121 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 660,563 | −0.2% |
| 2021 | 625,601 | −5.3% |
| Source: Censuses[3][4] | ||
| Year | 1994 | 2004 | 2014 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | 664,072 | 658,368 | 655,359 | 611,124 |
| Difference | −0.85% | −0.45% | −6.74% |
| Year | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Count | 614,356 | 611,124 |
| Difference | −0.52% |
It has a population of 611,124 people (31 December 2024).[6] The population density in the region is 64.64/km2 (167.4/sq mi) (2024),[7][8] which is the lowest of all Slovak regions and much lower than the country's average (110 per km2). The largest towns are Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Lučenec and Rimavská Sobota.
Ethnicity
[edit]| Ethnicity | Number | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| Slovak | 518,258 | 82.84% |
| Hungarian | 72,173 | 11.53% |
| Not found out | 35,722 | 5.71% |
| Romani | 22,227 | 3.55% |
| Total | 625,601 |
In year 2021 was 625,601 people by ethnicity 518,258 as Slovak, 72,173 as Hungarian, 35,722 as Not found out, 22,227 as Romani, 4249 as Czech, 1688 as Other, 813 as Russian, 704 as German, 666 as Ukrainian, 598 as Rusyn, 406 as Polish, 235 as Italian, 225 as Vietnamese, 183 as Moravian, 172 as English, 151 as Chinese, 151 as Romanian, 140 as Jewish, 116 as Serbian, 116 as Austrian, 93 as Croatian, 92 as French, 89 as Turkish, 82 as Irish, 78 as Bulgarian, 70 as Albanian, 55 as Canadian, 51 as Greek, 15 as Silesian, 9 as Iranian and 2 as Korean.
Note on population The difference between the population numbers above and in the census (here and below) is that the population numbers above are mostly made up of permanent residents, etc.; and the census should indicate the place where people actually mainly live.
For example, a student is a citizen of a village because he has permanent residence there (he lived there as a child and has parents), but most of the time he studies at a university in the city.
Religion
[edit]| Religion | Number | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church | 314,326 | 50.24% |
| None | 180,067 | 28.78% |
| Evangelical Church | 59,482 | 9.51% |
| Not found out | 40,654 | 6.5% |
| Calvinist Church | 9153 | 1.46% |
| Greek Catholic Church | 7026 | 1.12% |
| Total | 625,601 |
In year 2021 was 625,601 people by religion 314,326 from Roman Catholic Church, 180,067 from None, 59,482 from Evangelical Church, 40,654 from Not found out, 9153 from Calvinist Church, 7026 from Greek Catholic Church, 2145 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 2111 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 1761 from Ad hoc movements, 1560 from Other, 1413 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 1122 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 959 from Baptists Church, 699 from Buddhism, 596 from Seventh-day Adventist Church, 560 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 458 from United Methodist Church, 372 from Islam, 281 from Apostolic Church, 243 from Church of the Brethren, 224 from Old Catholic Church, 138 from Jewish community, 116 from Hinduism, 59 from Czechoslovak Hussite Church, 45 from Bahá'i Community, 24 from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and 7 from New Apostolic Church.
Politics
[edit]The governor of Banská Bystrica region is Ondrej Lunter (Independent). He won with 48.5 %. In election 2022 was elected also regional parliament:
County Council of Banská Bystrica region | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | County Council |
| Leadership | |
Governor | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 49 |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 29 October 2022 |
| Meeting place | |
Governor's office, Banská Bystrica | |
| Website | |
| Council of Banská Bystrica region | |
In 2013, Marian Kotleba of the Far Right People's Party Our Slovakia won the election of Governor of Banská Bystrica Region. Kotleba's win was described as a "shock" by political analysts, who attributed it to deep anti-Romani sentiments in the region.[13][14][15] Kotleba was defeated in the Slovak regional elections of 2017 by an independent candidate, Ján Lunter.[16]
Administrative division
[edit]The Banská Bystrica Region consists of 13 districts (okresy).
There are 514 municipalities, of which 24 are towns, where 56% of the region's population lives.
| District | Area [km2][17] | Population[18] |
|---|---|---|
| Banská Bystrica | 809.44 | 106,604 |
| Banská Štiavnica | 292.29 | 15,350 |
| Brezno | 1265.24 | 57,916 |
| Detva | 449.14 | 30,380 |
| Krupina | 584.89 | 21,209 |
| Lučenec | 825.55 | 68,623 |
| Poltár | 476.28 | 20,135 |
| Revúca | 730.10 | 37,676 |
| Rimavská Sobota | 1471.07 | 79,455 |
| Veľký Krtíš | 848.14 | 40,598 |
| Zvolen | 759.02 | 65,370 |
| Žarnovica | 425.08 | 24,463 |
| Žiar nad Hronom | 517.65 | 43,345 |
Places of interest
[edit]- Banská Bystrica with Banská Bystrica Castle, Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral, Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, etc.
- Hronsek with its castles, articular church and belfry (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Zvolen Castle
- Kremnica with Saint Catherine Church, Kremnica Mint, etc.
- Hronský Beňadik Monastery
- Banská Štiavnica (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Svätý Anton manor house
- Modrý Kameň Castle
- Lučenec Synagogue
- Gemer churches with the medieval wall paintings: Medieval churches in Rákoš, Chyžné, Kameňany, Rimavské Brezovo, Rimavská Baňa, Rimavské Janovce, Kyjatice, Kraskovo, etc.
- Predná Hora mansion
- Telgárt viaduct
- Špania Dolina - a town with a mining tradition
- Low Tatras National Park
- Muránska Planina National Park
- Greater Fatra National Park
- Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area
- Poľana Protected Landscape Area
- Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area
Photo gallery
[edit]-
Hronsek Castle
-
Hronsek wooden articular church (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
-
Hronský Beňadik monastery
-
Banská Štiavnica calvary
-
Fiľakovo Castle
-
Medieval church in Rimavské Janovce
-
Medieval church in Kraskovo
-
Medieval church in Kyjatice
-
Medieval church in Rákoš
-
Railway viaduct in Telgárt
-
Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area - Stone waterfall
See also
[edit]- Former Zólyom County of the Kingdom of Hungary
References
[edit]- ^ Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional GDP per Capita, OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.
- ^ "Hustota obyvateľstva - obce [om7015rr_obc=AREAS_SK, v_om7015rr_ukaz=Rozloha (Štvorcový meter)]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Statistical lexikon of municipalities 1970-2011" (PDF) (in Slovak).
- ^ "Census 2021 - Population - Basic results". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7102rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7102rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7102rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Hustota obyvateľstva - obce [om7015rr_obc=AREAS_SK, v_om7015rr_ukaz=Rozloha (Štvorcový meter)]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ^ KDH, SaS, Independents
- ^ "Slovak 'neo-Nazi' wins election in Banska Bystrica". BBC. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ "UPDATED: Five remaining regional leaders elected; extremist wins in Banská Bystrica". Slovakspectator. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "Far-right leader Kotleba wins in Banská Bystrica". Slovakspectator. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "Slovak neo-Nazi leader defeated in regional election". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Hustota obyvateľstva - obce [om7015rr_obc=AREAS_SK, v_om7015rr_ukaz=Rozloha (Štvorcový meter)]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7102rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- Kopa, Ľudovít; et al. (2006). The Encyclopaedia of Slovakia and the Slovaks. Bratislava, Slovakia: Encyclopaedic Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. ISBN 80-224-0925-1.
External links
[edit]- Banskobystrický samosprávny kraj Official website