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Oudenburg

Oudenburg
Municipality
Oudenburg town hall
Oudenburg town hall
Flag of Oudenburg
Flag
Coat of arms of Oudenburg
Coat of arms
Oudenburg is located in Belgium
Oudenburg
Oudenburg
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°11′N 03°00′E / 51.183°N 3.000°E / 51.183; 3.000Coordinates: 51°11′N 03°00′E / 51.183°N 3.000°E / 51.183; 3.000
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province West Flanders
Arrondissement Ostend
Government
 • Mayor Ignace Dereeper (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V, SP.A
Area
 • Total 35.38 km2 (13.66 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
 • Total 9,279
 • Density 260/km2 (680/sq mi)
Postal codes 8460
Area codes 059
Website www.oudenburg.be

Oudenburg (Latin: Aldenburgensis) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenburg itself and the towns of Ettelgem, Roksem and Westkerke. On January 1, 2006 Oudenburg had a total population of 8,929. The total area is 35.38 km² which gives a population density of 252 inhabitants per km².

There was a Roman Castellum on this location, built in the 4th century, whose outline is still visible in the city's streetplan. Some of the stones of the former walls were later used in the construction of the abbey. The former abbey of St. Peter at Oudenburg, founded by Arnold of Soissons, was destroyed during the French Revolution.

The arms show a castle with the arms of the medieval Lords of Oudenburg in the gate. The castle (Burcht) is a canting element. The castle already appeared on the oldest seal of the city, dating from 1226. All later seals showed a castle, but the size and shape of the castle has changed considerably through the centuries. The small shield appeared for the first time in the 16th century.



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