Salgótarján is the capital of Nógrád county, its most densely populated city, and an economic and cultural centre. Its history began at the time of the Hungarian conquest, as reflected by its name: a combination of the words Salgó (meaning shining, bright) and Tarján (one of the conquering tribes). The current city centre was built under the socialist era, when Salgótarján was a key industrial hub. However, its mining and heavy industries began declining after the regime change in Hungary, which had a negative impact on the city’s development. An urban regeneration programme was launched in 2009 to make the city more beautiful and liveable again. The development of industry is aligned with the changed economy, and the better use of its tourist appeal is also an important goal. The location of the city provides opportunities for economic and cultural ties with neighbouring Slovakia.