| Veurne | |||
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| Municipality | |||
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Veurne market square
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| Location in Belgium | |||
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Location of Veurne in West Flanders
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| Coordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°ECoordinates: 51°04′N 02°39′E / 51.067°N 2.650°E | |||
| Country | Belgium | ||
| Community | Flemish Community | ||
| Region | Flemish Region | ||
| Province | West Flanders | ||
| Arrondissement | Veurne | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Peter Roose (Veurne Plus) | ||
| • Governing party/ies | CD&V, Veurne Plus | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 96.34 km2 (37.20 sq mi) | ||
| Population (1 January 2016) | |||
| • Total | 11,674 | ||
| • Density | 120/km2 (310/sq mi) | ||
| Postal codes | 8630 | ||
| Area codes | 058 | ||
| Website | www.veurne.be | ||
Veurne (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvøːrnə] ; French: Furnes, pronounced: [fyʁn]) is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Veurne proper and the settlements of Avekapelle, Booitshoeke, Bulskamp, De Moeren (Belgium), Eggewaartskapelle, Houtem (West Flanders), Steenkerke (West Flanders), Vinkem, Wulveringem, and Zoutenaaie.
Veurne, in Latin Furna, is first found in 877 as a possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer. Around 890 AD, it was noted as a fortification against the Viking raids. It soon was placed at the head of the castellany of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to the Count of Flanders. Veurne became a city in the 12th century. During the following century, trade with England flourished. In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city’s economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. On August 20, 1297, the Battle of Veurne was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king.