Bourtange

Bourtange
Bourtange
	Coordinates: 53°00′24″N 7°11′31″E / 53.0066°N 7.1920°ECoordinates: 53°00′24″N 7°11′31″E / 53.0066°N 7.1920°E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Groningen
Municipality	Vlagtwedde
Population (2007)	420

Bourtange (53°00′24″N 7°11′31″E / 53.0066°N 7.1920°E / 53.0066; 7.1920) is a village in the Westerwolde region of the Dutch province of Groningen. It is a part of the municipality of Vlagtwedde, and lies about 32 km northeast of Emmen.

History [edit]

Fort Bourtange was initially built during the Eighty Years' War (circa 1568–1648) when William I of Orange wanted to control the only road between Germany and the city of Groningen which was controlled by the Spaniards. This road followed a sandy ridge (tange) through the marshes (the Bourtange Swamp).

Later, around 1594, Bourtange became part of the fortifications on the border between the northern provinces (Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe) and Germany.

Bourtange was a separate municipality until 1822, when it was merged with Vlagtwedde.^[2]

In 1851 the star fort was given up and Bourtange became a normal village.^[3]

Around 1960 living conditions in the village deteriorated and it was decided that Bourtange would be rebuilt to its state of 1740-1750. Today it is an open air museum. In 2001, the town of Bourtange had 267 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.21 km², and contained 133 residences.^[4] The statistical area "Bourtange", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 530.^[5]