Lanaken

Lanaken
Municipality

Zuid-Willemsvaart at Smeermaas

Flag
Coat of arms
Lanaken

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 50°53′N 05°39′E / 50.883°N 5.650°ECoordinates: 50°53′N 05°39′E / 50.883°N 5.650°E
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Tongeren
Government
 • Mayor Guido Willen (Open VLD)
 • Governing party/ies Open VLD, sp.a
Area
 • Total 59.00 km2 (22.78 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
 • Total 25,599
 • Density 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes 3620-3621
Area codes 089
Website www.lanaken.be

Lanaken is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2007, the municipality of Lanaken had a total population of 24,724. Its area is 59.00 km² which gives a population density of 415 inhabitants per km².

Lanaken is located on the Dutch border, bordering Maastricht directly. In the 2006 census, some 20 percent of the inhabitants turned out to have the Dutch nationality. A number of neighbourhoods in Lanaken is characterized by these immigrant's numerous villas and exclusive landhouses.

Lanaken consists of the following villages: Lanaken proper, Rekem, Neerharen, Gellik, Veldwezelt, Smeermaas and Kesselt.

The South African pulp and paper company Sappi operates a large mill on the outskirts of the town. In 2006, four 100 meter high wind turbines were built to provide electricity to the Celanese factory. Later on 8 more have been built.

The reactivation of the railway Maastricht-Lanaken-Hasselt will possibly be started in 2014.

The Veldwezelt-Hezerwater Palaeolithic archaeological site is located in the municipality.

Born in Lanaken

Eric Gerets (1954) Former professional football (soccer) player for Belgium, born in Rekem

Gallery

Hocht Abbey at Lanaken
d'Aspremont-Lynden castle at Rekem

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)

External links

 Maasmechelen Meerssen (NL-LI)
Zutendaal
Bilzen		 Maastricht (NL-LI)
   Lanaken  
Riemst