Bruges the Capital City of West Flanders

Bruges (Dutch: Brugge (a name probably signifying landing stage)) is the historic capital of the province of West Flanders, Flanders being one of the three regions of Belgium.

The municipality comprises the city of Bruges proper and the towns of Assebroek 1971, Dudzele 1971, Koolkerke 1971, Lissewege 1971, Sint-Andries 1971, Sint-Jozef 1971, Sint-Kruis 1971, Sint-Michiels 1971, Sint-Pieters 1899, Zeebrugge 1901, and Zwankendamme 1899. On July 1, 2005, Bruges had a total population of 117,172. The total area is 138.40 km² which gives a population density of 847 inhabitants per km². (Males 56.788 Females 60.384)

History of Bruges

Bruges has a long tradition of international port activity. The oldest trade settlement of Bruges and the early medieval port were accessible from the sea until around 1050. A storm flood in 1134 reshaped the Flemish coastal plain: a deep channel appeared, the Zwin, which at the time reached as far as present day Damme. The city remained linked to the sea until the fifteenth century via a canal from the Zwin to Bruges. But Bruges had to use a number of outports, such as Damme and Sluys. It remains so connected, but its main seaport nowadays is, as its name implies, Zeebrugge.