Heuvelland

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Heuvelland
Geography
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Ypres
Coordinates	50°46′N 02°49′E / 50.767, 2.817Coordinates: 50°46′N 02°49′E / 50.767, 2.817
Area	94.24 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population – Males – Females - Density	8,217 (January 1, 2006) 51.31% 48.69% 87 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate	6.75% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income	9,791 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor	Bernard Heens
Governing parties	CD&V
Other information
Postal codes	8950-8954, 8956, 8958
Area codes	057
Web address	www.heuvelland.be

Heuvelland is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Dranouter, Kemmel, De Klijte, Loker, Nieuwkerke, Westouter, Wijtschate and Wulvergem. Heuvelland is a thinly populated rural municipality, located between the small urban centres of Ieper en Poperinge and the metropolitan area of Kortrijk-Lille along the E17. On January 1, 2006 Heuvelland had a total population of 8,217. The total area is 94.24 km² which gives a population density of 87 inhabitants per km². The word "heuvelland" is Dutch for hilly country, as the municipality is characterized by the different hills on its territory.

[edit] Landscape

Landscape, with the village of Loker, as seen from the Rodeberg

The municipality is located in an area known as the West-Flemish Hills. The highest hill in Heuvelland is the Kemmelberg (156 m); followed by the Vidaigneberg (136 m), the Rodeberg (129 m), the Scherpenberg (125 m) and a lower hill in Wijtschate (82 m). On the border with France is the Zwarteberg.

[edit] Towns

The municipality Heuvelland consists of 8 small rural villages. The "deelgemeentes" of Dranouter, Kemmel, Loker, Nieuwkerke, Westouter, Wijtschate and Wulvergem were independent municipalities before the merger in 1977. De Klijte wasn't independent, but was a part of Reningelst (then independent, now part of Poperinge).

Church of Dranouter

Kemmel, Wijtschate, Nieuwkerke and Westouter are de largest centres, with more than 1000 inhabitants each. The town hall and municipal administration are located in Kemmel, as are the police office and post office. The rest home, municipal sports hall and main library are located in Wijtschote. The municipal container park is found in Nieuwkerke. The four other villages are smaller and accommodate less facilities.

Besides the village centres, a number of smaller residential areas are scattered on the territory. On top of the crest of the Rodeberg and Zwarteberg small residential development, mixed with small shops, tourist businesses and restaurants are found. The city centre of Mesen also expands a little on the territory of Wijtschate in Heuvelland.

Source: Ruimtelijk structuurplan Heuvelland

Because of its relative extensiveness, the municipality of Heuvelland borders a large number of villages and towns.:

[edit] Map

Heuvelland, "deelgemeenten" and neighbouring villages. The yellow areas are urban areas.

[edit] Famous inhabitants

Singer Geike Arnaert of Hooverphonic was born and raised in Westouter.

[edit] External links

• Official website