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Kortrijk




Europe is one of the five inhabited traditional continents of the Earth. Physically and geologically, Europe is the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, west of Asia. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the southeast by the waterways adjoining the Mediterranean to and including the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. On the east, Europe is divided from Asia by the water divide of the Ural Mountains and by the Caspian Sea. Europe is the world's second-smallest continent in terms of area and third-largest continent after Asia and Africa in population.

Kortrijk is a Belgian city and the municipality is located in the Flemish province west Flanders. The wider municipality comprises the city of Kortrijk proper and the towns of Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke and Rollegem. The total area is 80.02 square kilometers. The population is 73,657 and the population density 920 inhabitants per square kilometer.
 
The Counts of Flanders had it rebuilt soon after. From that time, Kortrijk gained great importance as a centre of linen production. Cortoriacum was founded by Romans at an important crossroads near the Lys River, then it was developed as a typical Gallo Roman vicus. In the 9th century, Baldwin II, Count of Flanders established fortifications against the Normans.
 
In 1302, the population of Bruges started a successful uprising against the French, who had annexed Flanders a couple of years earlier. On May 18, the French population in that city was murdered, an event that could not go unpunished. The famous ensuing Battle of the Golden Spurs between the Flemish people, mostly commoners and farmers and Philip the Fair’s knights took place near Kortrijk on July 11, resulting in a massive victory for Flanders. This date is now remembered as a national holiday by the whole Flemish community.
 
After the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, the textile industry, based on flax and the general economy of the city could finally prosper again. Kortrijk was heavily bombed in the summer of 1917, but even more damaged by the allied bombing in 1944. Most of the city that we see today was rebuilt after the war.  Kulak, a department of the Catholic University of Leuven, is located in Kortrijk.

Kortrijk is a city with plenty of mountains and valleys. The city is developing steadily. As it is often regarded as among the most beautiful parts of Europe, it is one of the most visited places amongst the most die hard travelers the world over.

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