Lanaken Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Lanaken

Zuid-Willemsvaart at Smeermaas

Flag	Coat of arms

Lanaken

Location in Belgium

Country

Flemish Community

Arrondissement

Tongeren

Area

• Total

59.00 km² (22.78 sq mi)

Population

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• Total

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Postal codes

3620-3621

Area codes

089

Website

www.lanaken.be

Lanaken is a town in the Limburg province of Belgium. As of January 1, 2007, about 24,724 people lived there. It covers an area of 59 square kilometers, meaning there are about 415 people per square kilometer.

Lanaken is right on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands, next to the city of Maastricht. In 2006, about 20% of the people living in Lanaken were from the Netherlands. Many Dutch families have built large homes and villas in some parts of the town.

Lanaken includes several villages: Lanaken itself, Rekem, Neerharen, Gellik, Veldwezelt, Smeermaas and Kesselt. You can also find the small communities of Briegden and Herbricht, and the old village center of Oud-Rekem.

An important Palaeolithic (Stone Age) archaeological site called Veldwezelt-Hezerwater is located in the area.

A Look at Lanaken's Past
- Lanaken During World Wars
What's in a Name?
Nature and Scenery
Lanaken's Economy
Getting Around Lanaken
Famous People from Lanaken
Gallery
See also

A Look at Lanaken's Past

Archaeologists have found signs of human life in Lanaken from very old times. These include the Neolithic (New Stone Age), the Roman period, and the Merovingian period. For example, there were several Gallo-Roman cemeteries. In Smeermaas, there was once a large Roman villa.

During the Middle Ages, the land of Lanaken likely belonged to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. From the 12th century, Lanaken became part of the Pietersheim area of Loon. The lords of this area founded the Abbey of Hocht around 1186. In 1106, the local church was given to the St. Servaas chapter in Maastricht.

In 1808, the current town area was formed. It combined Lanaken with Smeermaas, Hocht, Pietersem, Ca(u)berg, Bessemer, and Briegden. In 1839, after the Belgian Revolution, the town was split. Part of it became Belgian, and part became Dutch (Caberg).

Between 1824 and 1829, the South Willemsvaart canal was built. Later, from 1930 to 1934, the Briegden-Neerharen canal was added. These canals cut through Lanaken. In 1856, a railway line from Hasselt to Maastricht was built, but it stopped carrying passengers in 1954.

Lanaken During World Wars

On October 4, 1914, during World War I, German soldiers set fire to the center of Lanaken. This was partly because a Belgian volunteer group, led by Mayor Edgard de Caritat de Peruzzis, had resisted them. The castles of de Caritat de Peruzzis and Alicebourg were also destroyed.

On May 10, 1940, during World War II, German planes bombed the barracks (military buildings) of de Caritat de Peruzzis. Captain-Commander Henri Giddelo and five other soldiers were killed.

In 1957, the Saint Barbara Hospital was built in Lanaken. It was set up by the Limburg mines to study and fight diseases that affected miners, especially lung problems caused by dust.

On January 1, 1977, Lanaken merged with nearby towns like Gellik, Neerharen, Rekem, and Veldwezelt. This created the larger municipality of Lanaken we know today.

What's in a Name?

Lanaken was first mentioned in 810 as Ludinaca. In 1106, it was called Lodenaken. The name likely comes from a personal name, Hlodo or Ludo, combined with the word haka. Haka means "sand plate" or "sandy area."

Nature and Scenery

Lanaken is located on the southern edge of the Kempen Plateau. This plateau is separated from the more southern region of Haspengouw by the Albert Canal. To the southeast, the Briegden-Neerharen Canal separates Lanaken from Smeermaas and the Maas river basin.

Lanaken itself is about 60 meters above sea level. To the northwest, the land rises steeply to heights of up to 100 meters. Here, you'll find deep valleys carved by brooks like Asbeek and Ziepbeek. This area is part of the Hoge Kempen National Park. It has marshy lowlands, open heaths, and forests. The forests include pine trees, once planted for mining wood, and mixed forests. The most famous natural spots are Pietersembos and Asbroek.

You can start marked walking trails through this beautiful area from Pietersheim Castle or from the parking lot near the Saint-Barbara Hospital.

Lanaken's Economy

Lanaken grew because of its railway and canals. People commuted to Maastricht for work, and jobs were created at the Eisden coal mine. Factories also opened here, including a paper factory (now Sappi), a rubber factory (now Hercorub), and a factory for synthetic fibers (Celanese).

In 2006, four tall wind turbines were built to provide electricity for the Celanese factory. Later, eight more wind turbines were added.

The South African company Sappi, which makes pulp and paper, has a large factory on the edge of town. It has been a major employer for the people of Lanaken. However, in October 2023, Sappi announced that they would be closing their factory in Lanaken.

Lanaken is also part of the Albert Canal Economic Network. This network includes 24 other towns located along the Albert Canal, working together on economic development.

Getting Around Lanaken

There were plans to reopen the old railway line from Maastricht through Lanaken to Hasselt. This was meant to be a light rail system, like a tram, as part of Belgium's Spartacus plan. It was first planned for 2014, then postponed to 2025. However, in June 2022, the tram project was canceled. Instead, an electric "trambus" is planned to start operations in 2024.

Famous People from Lanaken

Eric Gerets (born 1954): A former professional football (soccer) player for Belgium. He was born in Rekem.
Edgar Willems (1890–1978): An artist, musician, and music teacher.
Jeroen Kusters (born 1980): A well-known expert in supply chain planning and operations management.