Ostend

The town of Oostende lies along the North Sea and at the end of the Ghent-Brugge Canal in the province of West-Vlaanderen in northwestern Belgium. Originally a fishing village from the ninth century, it was fortified by the Dutch in 1583. After a long siege, the Spanish took it in 1604. It became an important commercial center under Charles VI of Austria from 1722. It served as a German military base in World Wars I and II, and was badly damaged. Rebuilt following the war, it continues as a thriving fishing port, resort, and commercial town with industries such an oyster culture, shipbuilding, and soap manufacturing. It notables features includes the three-mile promenade, the Chalet Royal, the great fish market, and the racecourse. It 2003 estimated population is around 67,800.