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Wellen

Coordinates: 50°51′N 05°19′E / 50.850°N 5.317°E / 50.850; 5.317
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Wellen
Flag of Wellen
Coat of arms of Wellen
Location of Wellen
Map
Wellen is located in Belgium
Wellen
Wellen
Location in Belgium
Location of Wellen in Limburg
Coordinates: 50°51′N 05°19′E / 50.850°N 5.317°E / 50.850; 5.317
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceLimburg
ArrondissementTongeren
Government
 • MayorEls Robeyns (Vooruit)
 • Governing party/iesVooruit, CD&V
Area
 • Total26.8 km2 (10.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total7,402
 • Density280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Postal codes
3830-3832
NIS code
73098
Area codes012, 011
Websitewww.wellen.be

Wellen (Dutch pronunciation: ['ʋɛlə(n)] ; Limburgish: Wille) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2018, Wellen had a total population of 7,402. The total area is 26.72 km2 with a population density of 266 inhabitants per km2.

The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Wellen, Berlingen, Herten and Ulbeek. Other population centres and hamlets include: Bos, Beurs, Kukkelberg, Langenakker, Oetersloven, Overbroek, Russelt, and Vrolingen.

History

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Archaeological findings suggest the place was inhabited already during the Frankish period (5th to 7th century). Debris from the river Herk on that spot made the soil fertile for farming. However, any mention of the name Wellene or Welnis doesn't occur until the second half of the 12th century.

The name Wellen derives from the Middle Dutch "wellene", meaning "source" or "pit" or, alternately, from Latin terra Villina, "agricultural holding". Wellen was long associated with the abbey of Munsterbilzen, founded around 670.

References

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  1. ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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