Watten, Nord

This article is about the French commune. For the nearby V-2 rockets launch site called the Watten bunker, see Blockhaus d'Éperlecques.
Watten

Watten in the arrondissement of Dunkirk
Coordinates: 50°50′01″N 2°12′47″E / 50.8336°N 2.213°E / 50.8336; 2.213Coordinates: 50°50′01″N 2°12′47″E / 50.8336°N 2.213°E / 50.8336; 2.213
Country France
Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie
Department Nord
Arrondissement Dunkirk
Canton Bourbourg
Government
 • Mayor (2005–2008) Daniel Deschodt
Area1 7.32 km2 (2.83 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 2,724
 • Density 370/km2 (960/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 59647 / 59143
Elevation 1–73 m (3.3–239.5 ft)
(avg. 55 m or 180 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Watten (Dutch: Waden, meaning "ford" as in "river-crossing") is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Population (2006): 2,724 . Its inhabitants are called "Wattenais".

Geography

Watten is located at the limit of the French Flanders historical county. However, the local Dutch dialect (French Flemish) is virtually extinct. The neighbouring villages are Wattendam (commune of Holque), Millam, Serques, Éperlecques and Wulverdinghe.

While Watten belongs to the Nord département, it is bordering the Pas-de-Calais département. The village is crossed by the rivers Aa and Colme.

Heraldry

 The arms of Watten are blazoned :
Per fess argent and gules, 3 pales counterchanged.

Sights

The village is famous for its old ruined abbey, and for its mill, which was restored in the 1990s. These two buildings are located on the "Mountain of Watten" (72 Meters high). Its church dates from the thirteenth century.

See also

References

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