Wellen

For other uses, see Wellen (disambiguation).
Wellen
Municipality

Flag

Coat of arms
Wellen

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 50°51′N 05°19′E / 50.850°N 5.317°E / 50.850; 5.317Coordinates: 50°51′N 05°19′E / 50.850°N 5.317°E / 50.850; 5.317
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Tongeren
Government
  Mayor Johan Vanschoenwinkel (VLD)
  Governing party/ies CD&V, VLD
Area
  Total 26.72 km2 (10.32 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
  Total 7,405
  Density 280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Postal codes 3830-3832
Area codes 012, 011
Website www.wellen.be

Wellen is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2008, Wellen had a total population of 7,102. The total area is 26.72 km², giving a population density of 266 inhabitants per km2.

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

History

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 fertile soil for farming. Mention of the name Wellene or Welnis doesn't occur until the second half of the 12th.

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.

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External links


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