Tatabánya

Infobox Settlement


image_caption = County hall
image_shield = Tatabánya címere új.jpg
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = HUN
timezone=CET
utc_offset=+1
timezone_DST=CEST
utc_offset_DST=+2
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Tatabánya
pushpin_mapsize =

official_name=Tatabánya


subdivision_type1=County
subdivision_name1=Komárom-Esztergom
area_total_km2=91.45
population_total=70541|population_footnotes=
population_as_of=2007|population_density_km2=772.4
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code=2800
area_code=34
latd=47.58616
longd=18.39485

Tatabánya IPA| [ˈtɒtɒbaːɲɒ] is a city of 70,636 inhabitants in north-western Hungary, in the Northern Transdanubian region. It is the capital of the county Komárom-Esztergom.

Location

The city is located in the valley between the Gerecse and Vértes Mountains, some convert|55|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the capital. By virtue of its location, the city is a railway and road junction. The M1 (E60, E75) motorway from Vienna to Budapest passes through the outer city limits, and the Vienna-Budapest railway line also passes through the city.

History

Archaeological findings prove that humans have been living here since the Stone Age. The three historic predecessor settlements of Tatabánya are Alsógalla, Felsőgalla and Bánhida. Bánhida is the earliest settlement, it was first mentioned in 1288.

In the 16th century the Ottomans occupied the area. Around this time the inhabitants became Protestants. Later its feudal lords, the Esterházys populated the area with Roman Catholic German and Slovak settlers.

According to the 1787 census Alsógalla had 580, Felsőgalla had 842 inhabitants. The coal resources of the area were discovered around this time. Population began to grow, and a new mining colony was formed, later developing into the village of Tatabánya.

During the industrialization wave which took over the country after World War II several Hungarian towns were developed into large industrial cities. The four villages were united on October 1, 1947 under the name Tatabánya and it was elevated to town status. In 1950 it became the county capital of Komárom-Esztergom county (then called Komárom county.) In the 1980s it already had more than 80.000 inhabitants.

The industrial character of the city was significant until the fall of the Socialist government and the following political changes of 1989. After that the importance of heavy industry and mining decreased and the economic structure of the city has changed remarkably.

Infrastructure

According to the 2001 census Tatabánya has more than 30,000 households and 60% of them have central heating and telephone access. Almost all households have access to the cable TV network. 98% of the city roads are paved, mass transport is well organized.Vértes Volán provides local and nearby coach services (http://www.vertesvolan.hu/).

Education

Until the mid-20th century, educational standards in the city were average, but in the second half of the century they deteriorated to below average, mostly because the local mines did not require their employees to have a high level of education. By the end of the 20th century though, this trend had reversed again. The city currently has 2 colleges, 10 secondary schools, 16 primary schools, 18 kindergartens and 5 creches.

Culture and sports

The most important cultural institution is the Mari Jászai Theatre. The city has several other institutions (museums, libraries.)

Tatabánya has a football team called TBSC, founded in 1910. The town also has a successful handball team, Tatabánya Carbonex KC.

Tourist sights

* The Turul monument, above the city on the top of Gerecse Mountain, is the largest bird statue in Central Europe.

* The Szelim Cave and the forest park of Gerecse Mountain are popular tourist attractions.
* Nearby mountains (Vértes, Gerecse) and villages are a great place to spend time; neighbouring Tata has a beautiful lake and a medieval castle.

Town districts

Tatabánya is currently divided into the following 6 districts:
*Alsógalla
*Újváros
*Bánhida
*Kertváros
*Dózsakert
*Felsőgalla

Nearby villages

*Gyermely
*Héreg
*Környe
*Szárliget
*Szomor
*Tarján
*Tardos
*Várgesztes
*Vértessomló
*Vértesszőlős

Twin towns

Tatabánya is twinned with:
* - Aalen, Germany
* - Będzin, Poland
* flagicon|England - Christchurch, England, United Kingdom
*
* - Izhevsk, Russia
* - Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania
*

Town partnerships

Tatabánya also maintains partnerships with the following towns:
* Arad (Romania)
* Nové Zámky (Slovakia)
* Pazardzhik (Bulgaria)
* Saint-Ghislain (Belgium)
* Saint-Lô (France)
* Hoogezand-Sappemeer (the Netherlands)

External links

* [http://193.138.127.88/tb22.html?PHPSESSID=1917e6594f91cb4344b9cca5da80ec07 Municipal website]
* [http://www.civertan.hu/legifoto/legifoto.php?page_level=753 Aerial photography: Tatabánya]