Menen

Menen is also a variation of the Nauruan district's name Meneng

Menen
Flag Coat of arms
Menen Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°48′N 03°07′E / 50.8°N 3.117°E / 50.8; 3.117
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Kortrijk
Government
– Mayor	Gilbert Bossuyt (SP.A)
– Governing party/ies	SP.A, CD&V
Area
– Total	33.07 km2 (12.8 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2010)[1]
– Total	32,530
– Density	983.7/km2 (2,547.7/sq mi)
Postal codes	8930
Area codes	056
Website	www.menen.be
Map of Menen

Menen (French: Menin, West Flemish dialect: Mêenn or Mêende) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Menen proper and the towns of Lauwe and Rekkem. The city is situated on the French/Belgian border. On January 1, 2006, Menen had a total population of 32,413. The total area is 33.07 km² which gives a population density of 980 inhabitants per km².

The city of Menen gives its name to the Menin Gate in Ypres which is a monument to those killed in World War I. The gate is so called as that roads travels to Menen.

Town hall of Menen

History

Menen's position near the French border led to many sieges in the history of the city. There were as many as 22 sieges between 1579 and 1830.

The city was part of France between 1668 and 1713. Vauban turned Menen into a model-fortification (1679–1689).

The city was besieged and taken by the Duke of Marlborough's allied Army in August 1706. During the Flanders Campaign of the Wars of the French Revolution the city changed hands several times and was the scene of a battle in September 1793.

A new art museum, the Stadsmuseum ’t Schippershof, opened in 1999 which holds many works by Menen-born sculptress Yvonne Serruys.

The Mayor of City is Gilbert Bossuyt. He is a member of the Different Socialist Party.

Towns

Menen, towns and neighbours. The yellow areas are urban areas.

The municipality of Menen consists of Menen proper, Lauwe and Rekkem. In the area of Rekkem, there's also the hamlet Paradijs, separated by Rekkem proper by the A14/E17. In addition to the central town, Menen proper also contains the parishes and districts De Barakken and Ons Dorp. Menen proper is mainly located north of the Leie, Lauwe and Rekkem are located south of the river. The urban area of the city of Menen is directly connected with the urban area of the French municipality Halluin.

#	Name	Area	Population (2006)
I   (V) (VI)	Menen - Menen - De Barakken - Ons Dorp	16,49	19.246
II	Lauwe	8,80	8.357
III   (IV)	Rekkem - Rekkem - Paradijs	7,90	4.813

The municipality of Menen borders the following villages:

• a. Moorsele (Wevelgem)
• b. Wevelgem (Wevelgem)
• c. Marke (Kortrijk)
• d. Aalbeke (Kortrijk)
• e. Moeskroen (Moeskroen; Wallonia)
• f. Neuville-en-Ferrain (France)
• g. Halluin (France)
• h. Wervik (Wervik)
• i. Geluwe (Wervik)

Several artists were born in Menen: Yvonne Serruys (11873-1953), Georges Dobbels (1910-1988), Alfred Wallecan (1894-1960).

References

1. ^ Population per municipality on 1 January 2010 (XLS; 221 KB)

External links

• Official website (Dutch)