Borsod–Abaúj–Zemplén (Hungarian: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén vármegye, pronounced [ˈborʃod ˈɒbɒuːj ˈzɛmpleːn]; Slovak: Boršodsko-abovsko-zemplínska) is an administrative county (comitatus or vármegye) in north-eastern Hungary (commonly called "Northern Hungary"), on the border with Slovakia (Košice Region).

The area was inhabited mostly by castle serfs and foreign settlers (Pechenegs, Walloons, Czechs and Germans).

Charles Robert betrayed and defeated Amadé in the Battle of Rozgony in 1312, and also gained power over Northern Hungary.

After the Turkish occupation ended, and Hungary became part of the Habsburg monarchy, the area – because of its distance from Austria – was the main base of the resistance, and held this status until the Ausgleich ("Compromise"), when Hungary, formerly a mere province of the Empire, became an equal partner with Austria (1867).

The Reformation began spreading in Hungary in this area, and the first Protestant college was opened in Sárospatak.

Many foreign settlers arrived, Slovaks, Greeks, Germans, Russians – even today there are whole villages with significant number of them.

After the Ausgleich Northern Hungary – just like the other parts of the country – experienced an era of prosperity and fast development.

The famous film mogul who created Paramount Pictures, Adolph Zukor, was born in Ricse, a town in this county.

[4] After World War I and the Treaty of Trianon Hungary had to give up its northern parts to Czechoslovakia.

Abaúj-Torna had to give up 48% of its area, 72% of Zemplén became part of Czechoslovakia, only Borsod remained fully within Hungary.

The neighboring county of Gömör-Kishont retained 7.5% of its area, and remaining parts were merged with Borsod.

Under the First Vienna Award, arbitrated by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy following the Munich Agreement, Hungary re-annexed territories that has been ceded to Czechoslovakia.

The administration of the country needed to revert to pre-war status quo, since most of the land grabs proved temporary.

Urbanization was rapid, workers from all over the country were arriving in these cities and towns, and the population of Miskolc reached its highest level in the 1980s (around 211,000).

The end of the Socialist era and the recession of the 1990s hit hard, the unemployment rate is one of the highest of the country, and the local governments try to get over the crisis by strengthening the touristic potential.

This seems to be a good idea, since Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén is a geographically diverse area with rich natural and cultural treasures.

The region holds the country's record for lowest temperature: −35 °C (−31 °F) on 16 February 1940 in the town of Görömböly-Tapolca (now Miskolctapolca).