Zalaegerszeg is the capital of Zala county. It was founded in the once swampy territory between the Zala and Válicka rivers, rich in alder trees, and is first mentioned in writing in 1247. It often changed hands: from the 15th century it became the property of the Bishop of Veszprém, and from 1777 the Bishop of Szombathely. It was granted city status in 1885. Its traditional industries are food, dairy, clothing, machinery, furniture, metalworking and oil refining. Forest and game management are also significant. New industries were established here after 1995, predominantly electronics and services.