Spa, Belgium

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This article is about the municipality in Belgium. For for other uses, see Spa (disambiguation).
  Spa
The Casino in Spa
 
Location on map of Belgium
Coat of arms Location of Spa in the province of Liège
Geography
Country Belgium
Region Flag of Wallonia Wallonia
Community Flag of Wallonia French Community
Province Flag of Liège (province) Liège
Arrondissement Verviers
Coordinates 50°30′N 05°52′E / 50.5, 5.867Coordinates: 50°30′N 05°52′E / 50.5, 5.867
Area 39.85 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population
– Males
– Females
- Density		 10,543 (January 1, 2006)
47.61%
52.39%
265 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate 20.85% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income 11,522 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor Joseph Houssa (MR)
Governing parties MR – cdH-OC
Other information
Postal codes 4900
Area codes 087
Web address www.spa-info.be

Spa is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. It is situated in a romantic valley amid hills which form part of the Ardennes chain, some 35 km (22 miles) southeast of Liege, and 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Aachen. On 1 January 2006, Spa had a total population of 10,543. The total area is 39.85 km², giving a population density of 265 inhabitants per km².

Spa, the water city.
Spa, the water city.

As the famed site of healing hot springs, Spa has been frequented as a watering-place since as early as the 14th century. Though other sources of healing hot mineral springs have become famous throughout the world, it is the town of Spa which has become eponymous with any place having a natural water source that is believed to possess special health-giving properties. As a generic term, the word "spa" may also refer to a resort hotel – usually located near a source of mineral water or hot spring – which offers hot-tub or similar warm-water hydromassage facilities.

In 1918 the German Army established its principal Headquarters in Spa, and it was from here that the delegates set out for the French lines to meet Marshal Foch and sue for peace in the consultations leading up to the Armistice which ended the First World War.

The town is perhaps best known today as home to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the annual Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. It is also the location of mineral water producer Spa.

Fictonal detective Hercule Poirot was born is Spa.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


[edit] Gallery

Bains de Spa

Church Saint-Remacle

Source of Peter the Great

Source of Peter the Great

Protestant Church

Town Hall

Lake of Warfaaz

Spa-Francorchamps race track
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Municipalities of Liège Province
Huy
Liège
Verviers
Waremme