The Great Hungarian Plain is generally considered as the typical Hungarian region. The best known Hungarian words all over the world – puszta, csárda, betyár, gulyás, paprika – are also connected here. Specific natural formations of this territory are the bleak flatland with its alkaline soil, the mirage, the sand drift, or the shallow waters and thick reeds providing home for a colourful avifauna.

Upland is the historical name for the territory of the northern mountain range. The market towns, emerging in the region between the rivers Ipoly and Bodrog are the characteristic settlements of the area. Their privileged position (rights for having markets, electing magistrates, free options to move and inherit) differentiated them from the serfs of the neighbouring villages.

Southern Transdanubia, i.e. Baranya, Somogy, Tolna and Zala Counties used to be a densely populated area, strewn by small villages, the greater part of which lost its population during the Turkish occupation. Since the 16th century Serbians, Catholic Serbians, Croatians and Hungarians have coexisted in this region. The tradition of busójárás, having been a famous carnival custom for a long time in Mohács, is of Croatian origin.

The regional unit presents the traditional vernacular peasant culture of Őrség in Vas County, Göcsej and Hetés in Zala County.