Oudenburg

Oudenburg
Municipality
Oudenburg town hall
Flag Coat of arms
Oudenburg Location in Belgium
Location of Oudenburg in West Flanders
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.