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Hévíz is a spa town in Zala County, Hungary, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city of Keszthely.[2]
Hévíz
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Lake Hévíz
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Flag 
Coat of arms | |
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  Hévíz Location of Hévíz | |
| Coordinates: 46°47′32″N 17°11′06″E / 46.79234°N 17.18497°E / 46.79234; 17.18497 | |
| Country |  Hungary |
| County | Zala |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.31 km2 (3.21 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)[1]
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| • Total | 4,634 |
| • Density | 560/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
8380
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| Area code | 83 |
The town is located near Lake Hévíz, the world's second-largest thermal lake, but biologically the biggest active natural lake. Its temperature is affected by the combination of hot and cold spring waters, coming from 38 meters underground. The water breaks out from a spring cave, at approximately 410 liters per second, with a temperature of 40 °C (104 °F). The biological stability of the lake is shown by the temperature of the water, which has not changed for years[3] and even on the coldest winter days does not drop below 24 °C (75 °F). That makes bathing possible in the lake year round. In the summer, the water temperature can reach 37 °C (99 °F).[4]
The lake's healing properties have been well known for centuries by people who lived here, as far back as the end of the Stone Age. The foundation of bath culture was laid by the Romans in the 2nd century. The city and the bath began developing significantly in the 18th century, related to the Festetics family, who started scientific research about using the water for healing.[5]
The city provides facilities for visitors seeking to use the medicinal waters of the lake, including entertainment, hotels, parks, and sports.[6]
