Myjava and Chvojnica in the Notitia of the Nitra County (historical-geographical analysis and interpretation).

Matthias Bel in his work Notitia Hungariae Novae historico geographica offered a contemporary view of the condition, significance, response and specific features of Hungarian counties within the Habsburg monarchy. The aim of the present study is the historical geographical analysis and interpretation of SectionsVIII and IX of the Paragraph V in the natural history work of Notitia of the Nitra County in which Matthias Bel described rivers of the Lower Morava River basin Myjava and Chvojnica. The historical geographical "probe" into time characteristics of these rivers was realised through critical commentary of the translation of the original (Latin written) text using professional literature, old maps, results of field research and own knowledge of the given area. Phenomena described by Matthias Bel in the given paragraphs naturally not always correspond with today´s level of knowledge. Nevertheless, information about the Myjava and Chvojnica rivers reflects not only the time view of specific water streams of the examined territory. It also serves as an evidence of Bel´s method and creativity of this enlightener Magnum decus Hungariae. We do not consider the historical geographical research of the examined area to be completed. We see possible continuation e.g. in the studies of the development of historic names of settlements or in the application of a specific method of analysing and interpreting further sections (paragraphs) of the part on nature of the "Nitra" Notitia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]