*** Welcome to piglix ***

Ieper

Ypres
Ieper
Municipality
Ypres grand place.JPG
Flag of Ypres
Flag
Coat of arms of Ypres
Coat of arms
Ypres is located in Belgium
Ypres
Ypres
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°51′N 02°53′E / 50.850°N 2.883°E / 50.850; 2.883Coordinates: 50°51′N 02°53′E / 50.850°N 2.883°E / 50.850; 2.883
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province West Flanders
Arrondissement Ypres
Government
 • Mayor Jan Durnez (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V & N-VA
Area
 • Total 130.61 km2 (50.43 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
 • Total 34,959
 • Density 270/km2 (690/sq mi)
Postal codes 8900, 8902, 8904, 8906, 8908
Area codes 057
Website www.ieper.be

Ypres (/ˈprə/; French pronunciation: ​[ipʁ]; Dutch: Ieper, pronounced [ˈipər]) is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. Though Ieper is the official name, the city's French name, Ypres, is most commonly used in English. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote. Together, they are home to about 34,900 inhabitants.

During the First World War, Ypres was the centre of between German and Allied forces. During the war it was nicknamed "Wipers", as its name was difficult for English-speaking British Imperial forces troops to pronounce.

Ypres is an ancient town, known to have been raided by the Romans in the first century BC. It is first mentioned by name in 1066 and is probably named after the river Ieperlee on the banks of which it was founded.

During the Middle Ages, Ypres was a prosperous Flemish city with a population of 40,000 in 1200 AD, renowned for its linen trade with England, which was mentioned in the Canterbury Tales.


...
Wikipedia

...