ZALA

megye (county), western Hungary. Zala has an area of 1,461 square miles (3,784 square km) and consists of wooded, undulating hill country. The Yugoslav border, partly defined by the Drava River, is on the southwest. There is a high incidence of soil erosion on the valley slopes, but along the valley floors are wet meadows and pastures. There has been some canalization of the rivers in Zala, together with reclamation and soil conservation. Agricultural production is low, but the megye is a major source of medicinal herbs. Racehorse breeding is important. Zala contains large petroleum and natural gas deposits. From around Budafapuszta crude oil is piped to Almsfzito, Budapest, and Vrpalota. Production from the Nagylengyel field is refined at Zalaegerszeg (q.v.), the megye seat. Zalakaros is a recently developed spa for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 306,804.