West Flanders

West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen ; West Vloandern; (Province de) Flandre-Occidentale ; Westflandern ) is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region, in Belgium. It is the only coastal Belgian province, facing the North Sea to the northwest. It has land borders with the Dutch province of Zeeland to the northeast, the Flemish province of East Flanders to the east, the Walloon province of Hainaut in the south and the French department of Nord to the west. Its capital is Bruges (Brugge). Other important cities are Kortrijk in the south and Ostend (Oostende) on the coast, Roeselare and Ypres (Ieper). The province has an area of 3197 km² which is divided into eight administrative districts (arrondissementen) containing 64 municipalities. As of January 2019, West Flanders has a population of 1,195,796.

The North Sea coast of Belgium, an important tourism destination, lies in West Flanders. A tram line runs the length of the coast, from De Panne on the French border to Knokke-Heist on the Dutch border. West Flanders has two seaports, the Port of Zeebrugge and the Port of Ostend.

Geography
West Flanders consists of the North Sea coast, followed by a very flat polder landscape. Only in the south are some small hills, with the Kemmelberg (159 m) being the highest point in the province. The Leie and IJzer are the main rivers. West Flanders is the only Belgian province that borders both France and The Netherlands; it is the only province not landlocked.

Economy
The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the province was 46.9 billion € in 2018. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 34,700 € or 115% of the EU27 average in the same year.

In the north of the province, most industry is concentrated in and around the cities of Bruges and Ostend. Both cities also have important seaports: the port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and the port of Ostend.

The south 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.

Tourism
Tourism is also an important industry in West Flanders. Major touristic attractions include the Belgian coast, the historic center of Bruges, the Yser Tower in Diksmuide and Flanders Fields, the World War I battlefields around Ypres.

Language
A Dutch dialect called West Flemish is spoken here.

Sport
The city of Bruges has two clubs playing at the highest level of football in Belgium (Belgian First Division A), namely Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge.

Other cities with teams playing at the highest level are Kortrijk (KV Kortrijk), Ostend (KV Oostende) and Waregem (Zulte Waregem).

The teams Knack Randstad Roeselare and Prefaxis Menen play in the highest volleyball league. Knack Randstad Roeselare also plays in the CEV Champions League, the European Championsleague.

BC Oostende is a basketball team which plays in the major basketball league of Belgium.

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 (CVP)
 * 1979 : Leo Vanackere (CVP)
 * 1979–1997 : Olivier Vanneste (CVP)
 * 1997–2012 : Paul Breyne (CVP/CD&V)
 * February 2012– : Carl Decaluwé (CD&V)

Arrondissements
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 8 administrative arrondissements.

Judicial arrondissements
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 4 judicial arrondissements.

Municipalities


Municipalities that have city status have (city) after their names.

1. Alveringem

2. Anzegem

3. Ardooie

4. Avelgem

5. Beernem

6. Blankenberge (city)

7. Bredene

8. Bruges (city)

9. Damme (city)

10. De Haan

11. De Panne

12. Deerlijk

13. Dentergem

14. Diksmuide (city)

15. Gistel (city)

16. Harelbeke (city)

17. Heuvelland

18. Hooglede

19. Houthulst

20. Ichtegem

21. Ypres (Ieper) (city)

22. Ingelmunster

23. Izegem (city)

24. Jabbeke

25. Knokke-Heist

26. Koekelare

27. Koksijde

28. Kortemark

29. Kortrijk (city)

30. Kuurne

31. Langemark-Poelkapelle

32. Ledegem

33. Lendelede

34. Lichtervelde

35. Lo-Reninge (city)

36. Menen (city)

37. Mesen (city)

38. Meulebeke

39. Middelkerke

40. Moorslede

41. Nieuwpoort (city)

42. Ostend (city)

43. Oostkamp

44. Oostrozebeke

45. Oudenburg (city)

46. Pittem

47. Poperinge (city)

48. Roeselare (city)

49. Ruiselede

50. Spiere-Helkijn

51. Staden

52. Tielt (city)

53. Torhout (city)

54. Veurne (city)

55. Vleteren

56. Waregem (city)

57. Wervik (city)

58. Wevelgem

59. Wielsbeke

60. Wingene

61. Zedelgem

62. Zonnebeke

63. Zuienkerke

64. Zwevegem