# West Flanders

West Flanders is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region, in Belgium. It is the only coastal Belgian province, facing the North Sea to the northwest. It has land borders with the Dutch province of Zeeland to the northeast, the Flemish province of East Flanders to the east, the Walloon province of Hainaut in the south and the French department of Nord to the west. Its capital is Bruges (Brugge). Other important cities are Kortrijk in the south and Ostend (Oostende) on the coast, Roeselare and Ypres (Ieper). The province has an area of 3,197 km$^2$ (1,234 sq mi) which is divided into eight administrative districts (arrondissementen) containing 64 municipalities. As of January 2024, West Flanders has a population of over 1.22 million.
The North Sea coast of Belgium, an important tourism destination, lies in West Flanders. A tram line runs the length of the coast, from De Panne on the French border to Knokke-Heist on the Dutch border. West Flanders has two seaports, the Port of Zeebrugge and the Port of Ostend.

## Geography

West Flanders consists of the North Sea coast, followed by a very flat polder landscape. Only in the south are some small hills, with the Kemmelberg (159 m (522 ft)) being the highest point in the province. The Leie and IJzer are the main rivers. West Flanders is the only Belgian province that borders both France and The Netherlands; it is the only province not landlocked.

## Economy

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the province was 46.9 billion € in 2018. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 34,700 € or 115% of the EU27 average in the same year.
In the north of the province, most industry is concentrated in and around the cities of Bruges and Ostend. Both cities also have important seaports: the port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and the port of Ostend.
The south is known for its textile industry, with companies such as Beaulieu and Libeco-Lagae. The region around Kortrijk is called the "Dallas of Belgium" for its entrepreneurship.

## Tourism

Tourism is also an important industry in West Flanders. Major touristic attractions include the Belgian coast, the historic center of Bruges, the Yser Tower in Diksmuide and Flanders Fields, the World War I battlefields around Ypres.

## Language

A Dutch dialect called West Flemish is spoken here.

## Sport

The city of Bruges has two clubs playing at the highest level of football in Belgium (Belgian First Division A), namely Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge.
Other cities with teams playing at the highest level are Kortrijk (KV Kortrijk), Ostend (KV Oostende) and Waregem (Zulte Waregem).
The teams Knack Randstad Roeselare and Prefaxis Menen play in the highest volleyball league. Knack Randstad Roeselare also plays in the CEV Champions League, the European Championsleague.
BC Oostende is a basketball team which plays in the major basketball league of Belgium.

## List of governors

* 1830–1831 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
* 1832–1834 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
* 1836–1849 : Felix de Muelenaere (Catholic Party)
* 1849–1857 : Adolphe de Vrière (Liberal)
* 1857–1877 : Benoît Vrambout (Liberal)
* 1877–1878 : Léon Ruzette (Catholic Party)
* 1878–1883 : Theodore Heyvaert (Liberal)
* 1883–1884 : Guillaume De Brouwer (Liberal)
* 1884–1901 : Léon Ruzette (Catholic Party)
* 1901 : Jean-Baptiste de Bethune (Catholic Party)
* 1901–1903 : Charles d'Ursel (Catholic Party)
* 1903–1907 : Jean-Baptiste de Bethune (Catholic Party)
* 1907–1912 : Albéric Ruzette (Catholic Party)
* 1912–1933 : Léon Janssens de Bisthoven
* 1933–1940 : Henri Baels (Catholic Party)
* 1940–1944 : Michel Bulckaert
* 1944–1979 : Pierre van Outryve d'Ydewalle (CVP)
* 1979 : Leo Vanackere (CVP)
* 1979–1997 : Olivier Vanneste (CVP)
* 1997–2012 : Paul Breyne (CVP/CD&V)
* February 2012– : Carl Decaluwé (CD&V)

## Subdivisions
### Arrondissements

The Province of West Flanders is divided into 8 administrative arrondissements.
* Bruges
* Diksmuide
* Kortrijk
* Ostend
* Roeselare
* Tielt
* Veurne
* Ypres

### Judicial arrondissements

The Province of West Flanders is divided into 4 judicial arrondissements.
* Bruges
* Kortrijk
* Veurne
* Ypres

### Municipalities

Municipalities that have city status have (city) after their names.
1. Alveringem 2. Anzegem 3. Ardooie 4. Avelgem 5. Beernem 6. Blankenberge (city) 7. Bredene 8. Bruges (city) 9. Damme (city) 10. De Haan 11. De Panne 12. Deerlijk 13. Dentergem 14. Diksmuide (city) 15. Gistel (city) 16. Harelbeke (city) 17. Heuvelland 18. Hooglede 19. Houthulst 20. Ichtegem 21. Ypres (Ieper) (city) 22. Ingelmunster 23. Izegem (city) 24. Jabbeke 25. Knokke-Heist 26. Koekelare 27. Koksijde 28. Kortemark 29. Kortrijk (city) 30. Kuurne 31. Langemark-Poelkapelle 32. Ledegem 33. Lendelede 34. Lichtervelde 35. Lo-Reninge (city) 36. Menen (city) 37. Mesen (city) 38. Meulebeke -> Tielt
39. Middelkerke 40. Moorslede 41. Nieuwpoort (city) 42. Ostend (city) 43. Oostkamp 44. Oostrozebeke 45. Oudenburg (city) 46. Pittem 47. Poperinge (city) 48. Roeselare (city) 49. Ruiselede -> Wingene
50. Spiere-Helkijn 51. Staden 52. Tielt (city) 53. Torhout (city) 54. Veurne (city) 55. Vleteren 56. Waregem (city) 57. Wervik (city) 58. Wevelgem 59. Wielsbeke 60. Wingene 61. Zedelgem 62. Zonnebeke 63. Zuienkerke 64. Zwevegem