West Flanders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(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) 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). It 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.
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[edit] Industry
The region 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.
[edit] 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)
[edit] Arrondissements
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 8 administrative arrondissements.
[edit] Judicial Arrondissements
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 4 judicial arrondissements.
[edit] Municipalities
Municipalities that have city status have a (city) behind their name.
[edit] External links
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