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Vleteren
Onroerenderfgoed 31553 Oostvleteren.jpg
Flag of Vleteren
Flag
Coat of arms of Vleteren
Coat of arms
Vleteren is located in Belgium
Vleteren
Vleteren
Location in Belgium
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province West Flanders
Arrondissement Ypres
Area
 • Total 38.15 km2 (14.73 sq mi)
Population
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 • Total Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Postal codes
8640
Area codes 057
Website www.vleteren.be

Vleteren is a small town, also known as a municipality, located in the country of Belgium. It is found in the western part of Belgium, in a region called West Flanders. Vleteren is made up of three smaller towns: Oostvleteren, Westvleteren, and Woesten.

As of January 1, 2006, about 3,636 people lived in Vleteren. The total area of the municipality is 38.15 square kilometers. This means there are about 95 people living in each square kilometer, which is called the population density.

Exploring Vleteren's Towns

Vleteren is special because it brings together three unique towns. Each town has its own history and interesting places to see.

Westvleteren: Home of a Famous Abbey

Westvleteren is perhaps the most well-known of the three towns. It is famous for the Saint-Sixtus Abbey. This abbey is a monastery where monks live and work. They are known worldwide for brewing a special kind of beer. People often travel from far away to visit the abbey and try its famous beer. The abbey is a peaceful place with a long history.

St Sixtus analoog afdruk
The historic Saint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren.

Woesten: A Town with History

Woesten is another important part of Vleteren. It has a beautiful church called the St. Rictrudis Church. This church was rebuilt in 1923, but its original parts date back to the 15th century. It shows the long history of the area. The church is a great example of old architecture.

Gotische St.-Rictrudis-Kirche 1923 ehem 15. Jh mächt. Turm Woesten Gem Vieteren Westflandern Belgien Foto Wolfgang Pehlemann IMG 1384
The St. Rictrudis Church in Woesten, rebuilt in 1923.
Gotische St.-Rictrudis-Kirche 1923 ehem 15. Jh Turm ohne Spitze Woesten Gem Vleteren Westflandern Belgien Foto Wolfgang Pehlemann IMG 1387
The entrance portal of St. Rictrudis Church in Woesten.

Oostvleteren: A Quiet Community

Oostvleteren completes the trio of towns in the municipality. It is a quieter area, known for its local charm and community spirit. Like the other towns, Oostvleteren has its own unique character. It contributes to the overall peaceful and rural feel of Vleteren.

How Vleteren is Governed

Like all towns, Vleteren has a local government that helps run things.

Local Leadership

The leader of Vleteren is called the mayor. As of recent records, the mayor is Stephan Mourisse. He belongs to a political party called Open Vld. The mayor and the local council work together to make decisions for the community. They manage local services and projects.

Political Parties in Vleteren

The main political group in charge of Vleteren is called Landelijke Volkspartij (LVP). This group works to represent the people of Vleteren. They focus on local issues and try to improve life for everyone living in the municipality.

Geography and Location

Vleteren is located in the West Flanders province of Belgium. This area is known for its flat landscapes and rich agricultural land.

Coordinates and Area

The exact location of Vleteren can be found using coordinates: 50°56′N 02°44′E. This helps people find it on a map. The total area of Vleteren is 38.15 square kilometers. This makes it a relatively small municipality.

Population Density Explained

The population density of Vleteren is 95 inhabitants per square kilometer. This means that, on average, 95 people live in an area the size of one square kilometer. This number helps us understand how crowded or spread out a place is. Vleteren is not very crowded compared to big cities.

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