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Hasselt

Hasselt
Municipality
Hasselt City Hall
Hasselt City Hall
Flag of Hasselt
Flag
Coat of arms of Hasselt
Coat of arms
Hasselt is located in Belgium
Hasselt
Hasselt
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°55′48″N 05°20′15″E / 50.93000°N 5.33750°E / 50.93000; 5.33750Coordinates: 50°55′48″N 05°20′15″E / 50.93000°N 5.33750°E / 50.93000; 5.33750
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Hasselt
Government
 • Mayor Nadja Vananroye () (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies Helemaal Hasselt (SP.A, Groen!),
CD&V
Area
 • Total 102.24 km2 (39.48 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
 • Total 76,685
 • Density 750/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Postal codes 3500, 3501, 3510, 3511, 3512
Area codes 011
Website www.hasselt.be

Hasselt (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɑsəlt]) is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital of the province of Limburg. The Hasselt municipality includes the original city of Hasselt, plus the old communes of Sint-Lambrechts-Herk, Wimmertingen, Kermt, Spalbeek, Kuringen, Stokrooie, Stevoort and Runkst, as well as the hamlets and parishes of Kiewit, Godsheide and Rapertingen.

On 31 December 2007 Hasselt had a total population of 71,520 (34,951 men and 36,569 women). Both the Demer river and the Albert Canal run through the municipality. Hasselt is located in between the Campine region, north of the Demer river, and the Hesbaye region, to the south. It is also situated in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion.

Hasselt was founded in approximately the 7th century on the Helbeek, a tributary of the Demer river. The name Hasselt came from Hasaluth, which means hazel wood. During the Middle Ages, it became one of the free cities of the county of Loon (which had borders approximately the same as the current province of Limburg). Hasselt was first named in a document in 1165 and shortly thereafter received the much sought-after city charter. In 1232 this status was officially confirmed by Arnold IV, Count of Loon. Even though the city of Borgloon was the original capital of Loon, Hasselt was to become the biggest city thanks to its favourable setting, and the proximity of the count’s castle at Herkenrode in Kuringen. In 1366 the county of Loon became part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and remained so until the annexation by France in 1794.


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