NOGRAD

megye (county), Hungary, occupying an upland area of 982 square miles (2,544 square km) dominated by the Cserht Hills, a continuation of the Transdanubian Mountains. A few monadnocks (hills of resistant rock surmounting a peneplain) and isolated volcanic intrusions stand out from a sandy, clayey terrain. To the north the Cserht region is drained into the Ngrd River basin along the Ipoly River. Original forest cover has been cleared where possible for plowland. Agriculture is not so prominent as elsewhere in Hungary, but poppy seeds and lentils are important. There are several clay pits in the vicinity of Romhny. Around the town of Hollk o is the Palc (people of northeastern Hungary) country, noted for traditional weaving, embroidery, wood carving, and ornate peasant costumes. Salgtarjn (q.v.), the megye seat, lies in the Tarjn River valley. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 227,180.