Oostkamp

Oostkamp
Municipality
Oostkamp Rivierbeek
Flag Coat of arms
Oostkamp Location in Belgium
Location of Oostkamp in West Flanders
Coordinates:
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Bruges
Government
• Mayor	Luc Vanparys (CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V
Area
• Total	79.65 km2 (30.75 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)
• Total	22,764
• Density	290/km2 (740/sq mi)
Postal codes	8020
Area codes	050
Website	www.oostkamp.be

Oostkamp (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈoːstkɑmp]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of Hertsberge, Oostkamp proper, Ruddervoorde and Waardamme. On January 1, 2014, Oostkamp had a total population of 23.016. The total area is 79.65 km² which gives a population density of 289 inhabitants per km².

History

The name Oostkamp comes from the Medieval name "Orscamp", meaning place of the horses. The old word ors is identical with the English word horse.

Oostkamp during World War II

The Canadian 4th Armoured Division liberated the village on 8 September 1944 (World War II) during the Battle of Moerbrugge. A monument was erected by the Ghent-Bruges Canal to honour the 53 Canadian casualties.

Fusion of 1977

With the Belgian Unity Law the four villages of Oostkamp proper, Hertsberge, Ruddervoorde and Waardamme became the Municipality of Greater Oostkamp

Sister cities

• - Chaumont, France
• - Bad Langensalza, Germany
• - Bad Nauheim, Germany

External links

• (Dutch) Official Website
• (Dutch) Website of Heemkring Oostkamp: Studygroup of the local customs and folklore of Oostkamp
• (Dutch) Oostkamp.org: A wiki by citizens - The creators of this wiki try to preserve the friendly character of the municipality.