Poperinge

Infobox Belgium Municipality
name=Poperinge
picture=
picture-



map-

arms=Poperinge wapen.gif


region=BE-REG-FLE
community=BE-NL
province=BE-PROV-WV
arrondissement=Ypres
nis=33021
pyramid-date=
0-19=
20-64=
65=
foreigners=
foreigners-date=
mayor= Christof Dejaegher (CD&V)
majority= CD&V, VLD
postal-codes=8970, 8972, 8978
telephone-area=057
web= [http://www.poperinge.be/ www.poperinge.be]
lat_deg=50
lat_min=51
lon_deg=02
lon_min=44

Poperinge is a municipality located in the province of West Flanders, Flemish Region, Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Poperinge proper and the towns of Krombeke, Proven, Reningelst, Roesbrugge-Haringe and Watou. On January 1 2006, Poperinge had a total population of 19,623. The total area is 119.33 km² which gives a population density of 164 inhabitants per km². Poperinge is famous for its hops and lace.

The town of Poperinge is situated about 8 miles to the west of Ieper/Ypres. The region is famous for growing hops. Poperinge is home to the [http://www.poperinge.be/UK/data/nat_hop_museum.htm national hop museum] .

Within the town hall courtyard is an execution post.

Poperinge is the birthplace of Dirk Frimout, Belgium's first astronaut.

History

During World War I, the town was used to billet British troops and also provided a safe area for field hospitals. It was just behind the front line and formed an important link for the British soldiers and their families, especially via the [http://www.greatwar.co.uk/westfront/ypsalient/toch/toch.htm Talbot House] . These help to explain the location of a number of military cemeteries on the outskirts of the town.

The charity Toc H was founded at [http://www.talbothouse.be/en/ Talbot House] in Poperinge.

Towns

In addition to the city centre of Poperinge, the municipality also comprises de "deelgemeentes" Krombeke, Proven, Reningelst, Roesbrugge-Haringe and Watou. The small villages or hamlets Abele and Sint-Jan-Ter-Biezen are also located on the territory, but they aren't "deelgemeentes", meaning they weren't independent municipalities before the mergers of municipalities in 70s.

Roesbrugge-Haringe actually comprises two separate villages, Roesbrugge and Haringe. The hamlet Abele is located on the border with France, and partially lays on French territory.

Map

Twin towns

Poperinge is twinned with
*Zatec in the Czech Republic, since 1964
*Wolnzach in Germany, since 1965
*Hythe, Kent in England, since 1980
*Rixensart in Walloon Brabant, Belgium, since 1990

External links

* [http://www.poperinge.be Official website ] - Information available in Dutch and limited information available in English, French and German