The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1983 (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1983-03-01 / 3. szám

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THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE

March, 1983

Balaton

Balaton is the largest lake in Central and Western Europe. Scientists estimate its age to be about 20—22 thousand years. It has a water surface of 380 square miles. The colour of its water is almost unique, its opalescent shades are due to the abundance of alcalic salts.

The Romans already found prosperous fishermen’s colonies on the lake shores. Roman legions built roads and camps in this region; the ruins of the military camp, and the settlemept called Vakum, surrounding it have been discovered at Fenékpuszta.

During the reign of the first Hungarian kings, dozens of churches were built in this area; later fortresses were constructed. There are the ruins of 12 fortresses on the northern shore of the lake, and 4 along the southern shore. The church of the Abbey of Tihany — whose silhouette with its characteristic twin towers — dominates the northern part of the lake has built in 1719, on the foundations of an 11th century church. Excellent grapes grow on the volcanic soil of the northern shores. The wines of Csopak, Szentgyörgyhegy, and Badacsony fully deserve their popularity among the tourist'’. Fishing in the lake has age old traditions. Some 40 different species of excellent fish (e.g. “fogas”, pikeperch, etc.) populate the water of the lake.

The sun rapidly warms up the relatively shallow water (2—3 m.) of the lake; as a result the water temperature is generally 23 — 24° C in summer. The mineral content of the water has a very beneficial influence on the human organism.

Water sports play an important part in the life around the laker The yachting races and water-ski championships held here are extremely popular among international sportsmen. Although there is a closed season for fishing from 25th April till May 25th, you can enjoy your favourite sport for many hours a day thereafter. Incidentally, the whole length of the Southern shore is a single, long stretch of beach; the pleasant sandy bottom slopes very gently. Comfortable hotels, camping sites and bungalows, offering comfort and entertainment, are to be found in all the holiday resorts such as Siófok, Széplak, Földvár, Lel le to mention only a few.

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