West Flanders, Belgian province at the North Sea coast
West Flanders is a province in northern Belgium that stretches from the North Sea coast to gentle hills in the south. The area includes flat polder landscapes, coastal plains, and agricultural land crossed by canals and small rivers.
The region developed into a prosperous trading center during medieval times, when Bruges became known across Europe through its port and textile industry. During World War I, the Western Front ran through here, and years of fighting took place around Ypres.
Locals speak West Flemish, a regional Dutch dialect with its own expressions and sound patterns. In many towns and villages, you hear this language variety in daily life at markets, shops, and public squares.
The province can be explored by car, train, or tram along the coast, with most places well connected. Road signs and directions are in Dutch, but in tourist areas you often find multilingual information.
The coastal tram between De Panne and Knokke connects all seaside resorts along a route over 67 kilometers (42 miles) long, making it one of the longest tram lines in the world. Near Zeebrugge, you can watch large container ships entering one of northern Europe's largest ports from certain viewpoints.
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