West Flanders

West Flanders

(Dutch: West-Vlaanderen)
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Capital	Bruges
Area	3,125 km²
Population	1,130,040
Density	362 / km²
Governor	Paul Breyne
Official Site

West Flanders (Dutch: West-Vlaanderen (help·info)) is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region, also named Flanders, in Belgium. It borders (clockwise from the North) on the Netherlands, the Flemish province of East Flanders (Oost-Vlaanderen) and the Walloon province of Hainaut (Henegouwen) in Belgium, on France, and the North Sea. Its capital is Bruges (Brugge). The province has an area of 3,125 km² which is divided into eight administrative districts (arrondissementen) containing 64 municipalities.

The whole Belgian North Sea coast, an important tourism destination, lies in West Flanders. A tram line runs the length of the coast, from De Panne on the French border, via the port of Ostend (Oostende), to Knokke-Heist on the Dutch frontier.

Geography

West Flanders consists of the North Sea coast, followed by a very flat polder landscape. Only in the south are some small hills, with the Kemmelberg (159 m) being the highest point in the province. The Leie and IJzer are the main rivers. West Flanders is the only province that borders on both France and The Netherlands.

Industry

In the north of the province, most industry is concentrated in and around the cities of Bruges and Ostend. Both cities also have important seaports: the port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and the port of Ostend.

The south is known for its textile industry, with companies such as Beaulieu and Libeco-Lagae. The region around Kortrijk is called the Dallas of Belgium for its entrepreneurship.

Tourism is also an important industry in West Flanders. Major touristic attractions include the Belgian coast, the historic center of Bruges, and Flanders Fields, the World War I battlefields around Ypres.

List of Governors

• 1830 - 1831 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
• 1832 - 1834 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
• 1836 - 1849 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
• 1849 - 1857 : Adolphe de Vrière (Liberal)
• 1857 - 1877 : Benoît Vrambout (Liberal)
• 1877 - 1878 : Léon Ruzette (Catholic Party)
• 1878 - 1883 : Theodore Heyvaert (Liberal)
• 1883 - 1884 : Guillaume De Brouwer (Liberal)
• 1884 - 1901 : Léon Ruzette (Catholic Party)
• 1901 : Jean-Baptiste de Bethune (Catholic Party)
• 1901 - 1903  : Charles d'Ursel (Catholic Party)
• 1903 - 1907 : Jean-Baptiste de Bethune (Catholic Party)
• 1907 - 1912 : Albéric Ruzette (Catholic Party)
• 1912 - 1933 : Léon Janssens de Bisthoven
• 1933 - 1940 : Henri Baels (Catholic Party)
• 1940 - 1944 : Michel Bulckaert
• 1944 - 1979 : Pierre van Outryve d'Ydewalle (CD&V)
• 1979 : Leo Vanackere (CD&V)
• 1979 - 1997 : Olivier Vanneste (CD&V)
• 1997 - present : Paul Breyne (CD&V)

Arrondissements

The Province of West Flanders is divided into 8 administrative arrondissements.

Bruges	Diksmuide	Ostend	Roeselare
Tielt	Kortrijk	Ypres	Veurne

Judicial Arrondissements

The Province of West Flanders is divided into 4 judicial arrondissements.

Bruges

Kortrijk

Veurne

Ypres

Municipalities

Map of the municipalities in West Flanders

Municipalities that have city status have a (city) behind their name.

External links

• Official website of the Province of West Flanders

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Coordinates: 51°00′N 3°00′E / 51°N 3°E / 51; 3