Genk

Not to be confused with Gent.
Genk
Municipality

Church of Saint Martin

Flag
Coat of arms
Genk

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 50°58′N 05°30′E / 50.967°N 5.500°E / 50.967; 5.500Coordinates: 50°58′N 05°30′E / 50.967°N 5.500°E / 50.967; 5.500
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Hasselt
Government
 • Mayor Wim Dries (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V
Area
 • Total 87.85 km2 (33.92 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
 • Total 65,264
 • Density 740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Postal codes 3600
Area codes 089
Website www.genk.be

Genk (Dutch pronunciation: [ɣɛŋk]) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself. It is one of the most important industrial cities in Flanders, located on the Albert Canal, between Antwerp and Liège.

54% of the inhabitants are of foreign origin from about 85 different nationalities, mostly Italians, Turks, and Greeks.[2]

History

Celtic and medieval origins

Genk probably originated as a Celtic village, and was converted to Christianity in the 10th century. The remains of a little wooden church dating from that period were found in the area. The first mention of Genk as Geneche can be found in a document dating from 1108, ceding the territory to the Abbey of Rolduc. Politically, Genk belonged to the County of Loon until it was annexed by the Prince-Bishopric of Liège in 1365.

19th century

During a century of on-going industrialisation further south in Belgium, Limburg modernised only slowly: Genk remained unimportant and small, growing slowly to a population of 2,000 around 1900. The peaceful village was the home of landscape painters and writers such as Neel Doff.

20th century development

In 1901, André Dumont found a large quantity of coal in the nearby village of As. Soon after, the "Black Gold" was also found in Genk. After World War I, the village started to attract a large quantity of both Belgian and foreign immigrants, and quickly became the biggest city in Limburg after Hasselt, peaking to a population of 70 000. However, in 1966 the coal mine of Zwartberg closed down, and Genk had to develop new industries, mainly along the Albert Canal and highways. By the end of the 1980s, the two remaining coal mines at Winterslag and Waterschei were also closed.

In 2000, Genk officially became a city. Genk was recently voted the friendliest city in Europe by the SEA Tourist Commission.

In 2004, the city of Genk named a street after Jacques Coghen, finance minister of Belgium in the 1830s.[3]

Economy

Genk is the industrial centre of the province of Limburg and offers over 45,000 jobs, making it economically the third most significant city in Flanders.

The Genk Body & Assembly factory of Ford Motor Company was the largest and most important employer in Genk until recently, employing some 5,000 people and building the Mondeo sedan and hatchback, the Galaxy (second generation, from 2006 and onwards) MPV/minivan, and the S-MAX sub-MPV. The factory closed in 2014.[4]

Sights

Chateau of the Bokrijk Estate

Events

Transportation

Besides the Albert Canal, Genk has rail service to Hasselt and a small airport (EBZW) 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of the town center.

Sports

Genk's major football club, KRC Genk, promoted from second division in 1996 and quickly became one of Belgium's top clubs. They finished first in the highest football league in 1999, 2002 and 2011 and won the Belgian Cup in 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2013. Because of this success, the Cristal Arena (formerly known as Fenix stadium) of KRC Genk (place for 25 500 supporters) has become an important centre of both sport and non-sport activities in recent years.

Karting Genk is a kart racing CIK FIA track. In 2011 they held the World Championship.

Famous and notable inhabitants

Twin cities

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)
  2. ↑ http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/140127_Foreign_roots
  3. ↑ "Stad Genk heeft twee nieuwe straten (translated as: Genk has two new city streets)". City of Genk, Belgium. November 23, 2004. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20054924

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Genk.
 Houthalen-Helchteren Opglabbeek As
Zonhoven Maasmechelen
Zutendaal
   Genk  
Hasselt Diepenbeek, Bilzen
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