Editing West Flanders

{{Short description|Province of Belgium}}
{{Expand French|date=June 2020}}
{{Expand Dutch|West-Vlaanderen|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = West Flanders
| native_name        = {{native name|nl|West-Vlaanderen}}<br/>{{native name|vls|West-Vloandern}}
| settlement_type    = [[Provinces of Belgium|Province]]
| image_flag         = Flag of West Flanders.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_shield       = Wapen van West Vlaanderen.png
| shield_size        = 
| image_map          = Provincie West-Vlaanderen in Belgium.svg
| coordinates        = {{Coord|51|00|N|03|00|E|region:BE-VLG_type:adm2st|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{BEL}}
| subdivision_type1  = Region
| subdivision_name1  = {{BE-VLG}}
| seat_type          = Capital<br/>{{small|(and largest city)}}
| seat               = [[Bruges]]
| leader_title       = [[Governor of West Flanders|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Carl Decaluwé]]
| area_total_km2     = 3197
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestat.statbel.fgov.be/bestat/crosstable.xhtml?view=90c1e218-dc4f-4827-824d-9b25abfefe59|title=Be.STAT}}</ref>
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 1,226,375
| population_as_of   = 1 January 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/nl/themas/bevolking/structuur-van-de-bevolking|title = Structuur van de bevolking &#124; Statbel}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tgs00003/default/table?lang=en | title=EU regions by GDP, Eurostat|access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = €52.323 billion (2021)
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank_info_sec2    = 0.940<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/BEL/?levels=1%2B4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0&years=2019}}</ref><br/>{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of Belgian provinces by Human Development Index|5th of 11]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.west-vlaanderen.be/}}
| iso_code           = BE-VWV
| image_blank_emblem = West Flanders.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
}}

'''West Flanders'''{{efn|{{langx|nl|West-Vlaanderen}} {{IPA|nl|ˌʋɛst ˈflaːndərə(n)||Nl-West-Vlaanderen.ogg}};{{efn|''Vlaanderen'' in isolation: {{IPA|nl|ˈvlaːndərə(n)|}}.}} {{langx|vls|West-Vloandern}} {{IPA|vls|βæst ˈflɒːndərn̩|}}; {{langx|fr|Flandre-Occidentale}} {{IPA|fr|flɑ̃dʁ ɔksidɑ̃tal||}}; {{langx|de|Westflandern}} {{IPA|de|ˈvɛstˌflandɐn||De-Westflandern.ogg}}}} is the westernmost [[Provinces of Belgium|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 [[Netherlands|Dutch]] province of [[Zeeland]] to the northeast, the Flemish province of [[East Flanders]] to the east, the [[Wallonia|Walloon]] province of [[Hainaut (province)|Hainaut]] in the south and the [[France|French]] department of [[Nord (French department)|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 {{cvt|3197|km²}} which is divided into eight administrative districts (''arrondissementen'') containing 64 municipalities.
As of January 2024, West Flanders has a population of over 1.22 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/nl/themas/bevolking/structuur-van-de-bevolking|title = Structuur van de bevolking &#124; Statbel}}</ref>

The [[North Sea]] coast of Belgium, an important [[tourism in Belgium|tourism]] destination, lies in West Flanders. A [[Belgian coast tram|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 [[port|seaports]], the [[Port of Zeebrugge]] and the [[Port of Ostend]].

==Geography==
West Flanders consists of the [[Coastline of the North Sea|North Sea coast]], followed by a very flat [[polder]] landscape. Only in the south are some small hills, with the [[Kemmelberg]] ({{cvt|159|m|ft|abbr=on}}) 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat}}</ref>

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 International Group|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==
{{main|West Flemish}}
A [[Dutch language|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 KV|Club Brugge]] and [[Cercle Brugge K.S.V.|Cercle Brugge]].

Other cities with teams playing at the highest level are [[Kortrijk]] ([[K.V. Kortrijk|KV Kortrijk]]), [[Ostend]] ([[K.V. Oostende|KV Oostende]]) and [[Waregem]] ([[S.V. Zulte 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==
{{Main|Governor of West Flanders}}
* 1830–1831 : [[Felix de Muelenaere]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1832–1834 : [[Felix de Muelenaere]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1836–1849 : [[Felix de Muelenaere]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1849–1857 : [[Adolphe de Vrière]] (Liberal)
* 1857–1877 : [[Benoît Vrambout]] (Liberal)
* 1877–1878 : [[Léon Ruzette]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1878–1883 : [[Theodore Heyvaert]] (Liberal)
* 1883–1884 : [[Guillaume De Brouwer]] (Liberal)
* 1884–1901 : [[Léon Ruzette]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1901 : [[Jean-Baptiste de Béthune (politician)|Jean-Baptiste de Bethune]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1901–1903  : [[Charles d'Ursel]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1903–1907 : [[Jean-Baptiste de Béthune (politician)|Jean-Baptiste de Bethune]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1907–1912 : [[Albéric Ruzette]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1912–1933 : [[Léon Janssens de Bisthoven]]
* 1933–1940 : [[Henri Baels]] ([[Catholic Party (Belgium)|Catholic Party]])
* 1940–1944 : [[Michel Bulckaert]]
* 1944–1979 : [[Pierre van Outryve d'Ydewalle]] ([[Christian-Democratic and Flemish|CVP]])
* 1979 : [[Leo Vanackere]] ([[Christian-Democratic and Flemish|CVP]])
* 1979–1997 : [[Olivier Vanneste]] ([[Christian-Democratic and Flemish|CVP]])
* 1997–2012 : [[Paul Breyne]] ([[Christian-Democratic and Flemish|CVP/CD&V]])
* February 2012– : [[Carl Decaluwé]] ([[Christian-Democratic and Flemish|CD&V]])

==Subdivisions==

===Arrondissements===
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 8 [[Arrondissements of Belgium#Administrative|administrative]] [[Arrondissements of Belgium|arrondissements]].
<gallery>
Image:Arrondissement Brugge Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Bruges|Bruges]]
Image:Arrondissement Diksmuide Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Diksmuide|Diksmuide]]
Image:ArrKortrijkLocation.png|[[Arrondissement of Kortrijk|Kortrijk]]
Image:Arrondissement Oostende Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Ostend|Ostend]]
Image:Arrondissement Roeselare Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Roeselare|Roeselare]]
Image:Arrondissement Tielt Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Tielt|Tielt]]
Image:Arrondissement Veurne Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Veurne|Veurne]]
Image:Arrondissement Ieper Belgium Map.png|[[Arrondissement of Ypres|Ypres]]
</gallery>

===Judicial arrondissements===
The Province of West Flanders is divided into 4 [[judicial]] [[arrondissement]]s.
<gallery>
Image:Image-Judicial Arrondissement Brugge Belgium Map.png|Bruges
Image:Image-Judicial Arrondissement Kortrijk Belgium Map.png|Kortrijk
Image:Image-Judicial Arrondissement Veurne Belgium Map.png|Veurne
Image:Image-Judicial Arrondissement Ieper Belgium Map.png|Ypres
</gallery>

===Municipalities===
[[Image:Municipalities West-Flanders Belgium Map - Number.svg|right|400px|Map of the municipalities in West Flanders]]
West Flanders contains 62 municipalities.

Municipalities that have [[City status in Belgium|city status]] have ''(city)'' after their names.
{|width=50%
|
1. [[Alveringem]]<br />
2. [[Anzegem]]<br />
3. [[Ardooie]]<br />
4. [[Avelgem]]<br />
5. [[Beernem]]<br />
6. [[Blankenberge]] ''(city)''<br />
7. [[Bredene]]<br />
8. [[Bruges]] ''(city)''<br />
9. [[Damme]] ''(city)''<br />
10. [[De Haan, Belgium|De Haan]]<br />
11. [[De Panne]]<br />
12. [[Deerlijk]]<br />
13. [[Dentergem]]<br />
14. [[Diksmuide]] ''(city)''<br />
15. [[Gistel]] ''(city)''<br />
16. [[Harelbeke]] ''(city)''<br />
17. [[Heuvelland]]<br />
18. [[Hooglede]]<br />
19. [[Houthulst]]<br />
20. [[Ichtegem]]<br />
21. [[Ypres]] (Ieper) ''(city)''<br />
22. [[Ingelmunster]]<br />
23. [[Izegem]] ''(city)''<br />
24. [[Jabbeke]]<br />
25. [[Knokke-Heist]]<br />
26. [[Koekelare]]<br />
27. [[Koksijde]]<br />
28. [[Kortemark]]<br />
29. [[Kortrijk]] ''(city)''<br />
30. [[Kuurne]]<br />
31. [[Langemark-Poelkapelle]]<br />
32. [[Ledegem]]<br />
|
33. [[Lendelede]]<br />
34. [[Lichtervelde]]<br />
35. [[Lo-Reninge]] ''(city)''<br />
36. [[Menen]] ''(city)''<br />
37. [[Mesen]] ''(city)''<br />
38. [[Meulebeke]] -> [[Tielt]] <br />
39. [[Middelkerke]]<br />
40. [[Moorslede]]<br />
41. [[Nieuwpoort, Belgium|Nieuwpoort]] ''(city)''<br />
42. [[Ostend]] ''(city)''<br />
43. [[Oostkamp]]<br />
44. [[Oostrozebeke]]<br />
45. [[Oudenburg]] ''(city)''<br />
46. [[Pittem]]<br />
47. [[Poperinge]] ''(city)''<br />
48. [[Roeselare]] ''(city)''<br />
49. [[Ruiselede]] -> [[Wingene]] <br />
50. [[Spiere-Helkijn]]<br />
51. [[Staden]]<br />
52. [[Tielt]] ''(city)''<br />
53. [[Torhout]] ''(city)''<br />
54. [[Veurne]] ''(city)''<br />
55. [[Vleteren]]<br />
56. [[Waregem]] ''(city)''<br />
57. [[Wervik]] ''(city)''<br />
58. [[Wevelgem]]<br />
59. [[Wielsbeke]]<br />
60. [[Wingene]]<br />
61. [[Zedelgem]]<br />
62. [[Zonnebeke]]<br />
63. [[Zuienkerke]]<br />
64. [[Zwevegem]]<br />
|}

== See also ==
* [[Transport Office of the Devastated Territories of West Flanders]]
* [[Flag and Coat of arms of West -Flanders|Flag and Coat of arms of West-Flanders]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|West Flanders}}
*[http://www.west-vlaanderen.be Official website of the Province of West Flanders]

{{Subdivisions of Belgium}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:West Flanders| ]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Provinces of Flanders]]