Houthalen-Helchteren

Houthalen-Helchteren
Municipality

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Coat of arms
Houthalen-Helchteren

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 51°02′N 05°23′E / 51.033°N 5.383°E / 51.033; 5.383Coordinates: 51°02′N 05°23′E / 51.033°N 5.383°E / 51.033; 5.383
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Maaseik
Government
 • Mayor Alain IJzermans (sp.a)
 • Governing party/ies sp.a, CD&V
Area
 • Total 78.27 km2 (30.22 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)[1]
 • Total 30,592
 • Density 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Postal codes 3530
Area codes 011, 089
Website www.houthalen-helchteren.be

Houthalen-Helchteren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. Houthalen-Helchteren consists of: Houthalen-centrum, Houthalen-Oost, Helchteren, Sonnis, Laak, Meulenberg and Lillo. On January 1, 2006, Houthalen-Helchteren had a total population of around 31.000. The total area is 78.27 km² which gives a population density of 383 inhabitants per km².

Geography

Helchteren is located near the watershed between the Meuse and the Scheldt. In the immediate vicinity the Dommel (which flows to the Meuse near Den Bosch), the Grote Nete (which flows to the Scheldt) and the Neer (that joins the Meuse just south of Roermond) all originate.

History of Helchteren

Helchteren could have become famous in 1702 when, during the War of the Spanish Succession, a French Army under Boufflers faced an alliance army under Marlborough. A battle could have ensued, but instead it came to the not so famous cannonade of Helchteren. The cannonade itself is however a seldom occurring event in military history.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality as of 1 January 2016 (XLS; 397 KB)


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