Arques, Pas-de-Calais

Arques

Commune

The Fontinettes boat lift

Coat of arms

Arques

Location within Hauts-de-France region

Arques

Coordinates: 50°44′10″N 2°18′12″E / 50.7361°N 2.3033°ECoordinates: 50°44′10″N 2°18′12″E / 50.7361°N 2.3033°E

Country

Government

• Mayor (2008–2014)

Joël Duquesnoy

Area¹

22.41 km² (8.65 sq mi)

Population (2009)²

9,945

• Density

440/km² (1,100/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

INSEE/Postal code

62040 /62510

Elevation

2–62 m (6.6–203.4 ft)
(avg. 10 m or 33 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

²Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Arques is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France, bordering Saint-Omer.

Arques is situated in the middle of the Hauts-de-France region, 40 km from Calais and Dunkerque, and 45 km from Boulogne-sur-Mer. It lies on the border of the departments of Pas-de-Calais and Nord.

The town is crossed by the Neufossé Canal, which connects the rivers Aa and Lys. The commune also includes several lakes—Beauséjour, Arc-en-ciel, Malhôve, Batavia—and part of the forest of Rihout-Clairmarais.

In the wake of the Battle of the Golden Spurs a battle was fought here in April 1303 between French and Flemish. The Flemish were victorious in the Battle of Arques (1303). Arques is not to be confused with Arques-la-Bataille, where the Battle of Arques (1589) took place.

It was one of the first towns in the region which subscribed to Agenda 21.

Arques is famous for its crystal manufacture. It has been the headquarters of Arc International, the largest manufacturer of glassware in the world, since its inception in the 19th century.

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Wikipedia