La Roche-en-Ardenne

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  La Roche-en-Ardenne
La Roche: the town centre below its medieval castle
 
Location on map of Belgium
Coat of arms Location of La Roche-en-Ardenne in Luxembourg province
Geography
Country Belgium
Region Flag of Wallonia Wallonia
Community Flag of Wallonia French Community
Province Flag of Luxembourg (Belgium) Luxembourg
Arrondissement Marche-en-Famenne
Coordinates 50°11′N 05°35′E / 50.183, 5.583Coordinates: 50°11′N 05°35′E / 50.183, 5.583
Area 147.52 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population
– Males
– Females
- Density
4,267 (January 1, 2006)
49.85%
50.15%
29 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate 14.22% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income 10,068 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor Jean-Pierre Dardenne (MR)
Governing parties MR, PS
Other information
Postal codes 6980, 6982-6984, 6986
Area codes 084
Web address www.la-roche-en-ardenne.be

La Roche-en-Ardenne is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Luxembourg Province.

On 1 January 2007 the municipality, which covers 147.52 km², had 4,348 inhabitants, giving a population density of 29.5 inhabitants per km².

Lying beside a bend in the River Ourthe, the small town of La Roche-en-Ardenne is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the Ardennes. Walking, kayaking, and mountain biking are among the outdoor pursuits available here. The municipality's other main economic activity is agriculture.

[edit] History

La Roche is believed to have first been settled in the Neolithic era. The Romans built a fort there following their conquest of Gaul and the Ardennes.

The town's medieval castle was in use between the 9th and 18th centuries.

In World War II, the town suffered severe damage. Having been liberated by the Allies in September 1944, the town was recaptured by the Germans in December, during the Battle of the Bulge. The subsequent Allied bombing raids resulted in the town being liberated once more in January 1945, but left much of the town destroyed, and many residents dead.

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