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Vinkem

Veurne
Municipality
Veurne market square
Veurne market square
Flag of Veurne
Flag
Coat of arms of Veurne
Coat of arms
Veurne is located in Belgium
Veurne
Veurne
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E / 51.067; 2.650Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E / 51.067; 2.650
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province West Flanders
Arrondissement Veurne
Government
 • Mayor Peter Roose (Veurne Plus)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V, Veurne Plus
Area
 • Total 96.34 km2 (37.20 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
 • Total 11,674
 • Density 120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Postal codes 8630
Area codes 058
Website www.veurne.be

Veurne (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvøːrnə] ; French: Furnes, pronounced: [fyʁn]) is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Veurne proper and the settlements of Avekapelle (), Booitshoeke (), Bulskamp (), De Moeren (Belgium) (), Eggewaartskapelle (), Houtem (West Flanders) (), Steenkerke (West Flanders) (), Vinkem (), Wulveringem, and Zoutenaaie ().

Veurne, in Latin Furna, is first found in 877 as a possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer. Around 890 AD, it was noted as a fortification against the Viking raids. It soon was placed at the head of the castellany of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to the Count of Flanders. Veurne became a city in the 12th century. During the following century, trade with England flourished. In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city’s economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. On August 20, 1297, the Battle of Veurne was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king.


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