Debrecen

After Budapest, Debrecen is the biggest city in the country of Hungary. It is also the county capital of Hajd-Bihar County and serves as the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain area. A city with county rights, it was the biggest city in Hungary during the 18th century, and it continues to be one of the Hungarian people's most significant cultural centres today. During the revolutionary years of 1848 and 1849 in Hungary, the city of Debrecen served as the country's capital. During the time of the revolution, the deposition of the Habsburg family as rulers of Austria was proclaimed in the Great Reformed Church. Additionally, during the latter years of World War II, between 1944 and 1945, the city functioned as the capital of Hungary. The University of Debrecen is located here in the city.

In 1235, the city was referred to for the first time in written history as Debrezun. The name originates from the Turkic word debresin, which is both a masculine given name and a verb meaning "life" or "move." The name is also used as a verb. According to a second hypothesis, the name is of Slavic origin and derives from the word for "well-respected" (dobre zliem) or the Slavic word "Dbricin" ("good land").

Following the Hungarian occupation, the community was laid out and developed. The Mongol conquest of Europe resulted in the abandonment of a number of the region's smaller settlements, including Boldogasszonyfalva and Szentlászlófalva, which led to Debrecen's rise to prominence in the region. After the middle of the 13th century, it went through an extended period of tremendous growth.

The city of Debrecen had a total population of 211,320 residents as of the census completed in 2011, out of whom 209,782 (or 99.3%) spoke Hungarian as their first language. There are 49,909 people who are also fluent in English, 22,454 people who are German speakers, and 5,416 people who are Russian speakers.

Businesses related to agriculture, healthcare, and education have been the primary contributors to Debrecen's economic growth. The city serves as the primary commercial and retail hub for all of Eastern Hungary. The Forum Debrecen is the most extensive retail establishment in the surrounding area. One of the most developed cities in Hungary, Debrecen is the regional hub of multinational corporations such as National Instruments, IT Services Hungary, BT, Continental, BMW, and Healthcare Manufacturers, making it one of the most prosperous cities in Hungary (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Gedeon Richter Plc.).