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Concept
Blankenberge
Summary
Blankenberge (ˈblɑŋkə(m)bɛrɣə; Blankenberghe; Blanknberge) is a seaside city and a municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Blankenberge proper and the settlement of Uitkerke.
On 1 December 2014, Blankenberge had a total population of 19,897. The total area of the municipality is 17.41 km2, giving a population density of 1,142 inhabitants per km2. The towns inhabitants are called Blankenbergenaars.
Blankenberge is one of the most important seaside resorts on the Belgian coast in terms of tourist numbers and hotel reservations. It is a national and to a certain extent international seaside resort, attracting visitors from across northern Europe.
It possesses a long sandy beach, and a 350-m long art-deco pier, the Belgium Pier, constructed in 1933. A structure that is unique on the Belgian coast.
The first fishing activities date back to the 11th century. By the 12th century, the fishing fleet had more than 60 ships. A pontoon was built in the 15th century in the vicinity of the lighthouse, a construction which served until the beginning of the 16th century. The fishermen of Blankenberge would land their catch in barges which approached the beach. No port was constructed until 1871 when a navigation channel with a wharf was built. The fishery declined during the period between the two world wars and disappeared in 1945. The port was destroyed by the Germans in World War 2. A new port for pleasure boats was rebuilt in 1955. The port has undergone two more extensions and currently accommodates 1,000 boats.
As early as the first half of the 18th century, tourists came to Blankenberghe (spelling influenced by French). The Brugsesteenweg was built in 1723. This not only ensured a growing export of fish but also an easy connection for the inhabitants of Bruges who came to the sea for a day of relaxation. There was no such thing as sea bathing at that time. Bathing developed under the influence of English tourism in the 19th century. The first bathing cabins appeared on the beach in 1838.
Official source
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