Bruges Brugge (Dutch)

Geography Country Belgium Region

Flemish Region Community

Flemish Community Province

West Flanders Arrondissement Bruges Coordinates 51°13'N 3°14'E? / ?51.217, 3.233Coordinates: 51°13'N 3°14'E? / ?51.217, 3.233 Area 138.40 km? Population (Source: NIS) Population ? Males ? Females - Density 117,224 (January 1, 2006) 48.43% 51.57% 847 inhab./km? Age distribution 0?19 years 20?64 years 65+ years (01/01/2006) 20.57% 59.34% 20.09% Foreigners 3.52% (01/01/2007) Economy Unemployment rate 7.40% (January 1, 2006) Mean annual income 13,617 ?/pers. (2003) Government Mayor Patrick Moenaert (CD&V) Governing parties CD&V, SP.A-Spirit, VLD Other information Postal codes 8000, 8200, 8310, 8380 Area codes 050 Web address www.brugge.be Bruges (Dutch: Brugge, stemming from Bryggja, which assumedly used to signify "landing stage" or "port") is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country. The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is egg-shaped and about 430 hectares in size. The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares, including 193.7 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge ("Seabruges" in literal translation). The city's total population is more than 117,000, of which around 20,000 live in the historic centre. Bruges has, because of its port, a significant economic importance and is also home to the College of Europe.