Lanaken

Lanaken
Municipality
Coat of arms
Location of Lanaken
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Limburg
Arrondissement	Tongeren
Government
• Mayor	Guido Willen (Open VLD)
• Governing party/ies	Open VLD, sp.a
Area
• Total	58.95 km2 (22.76 sq mi)
Population  (2018-01-01)
• Total	25,818
• Density	440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes	3620-3621
NIS code	73042
Area codes	089
Website	www.lanaken.be

Lanaken is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2007 Lanaken had a total population of 24,724. The total area is 59.00 km² which gives a population density of 415 inhabitants per km².

It is located on the Dutch border, less than 10 kilometers from Maastricht. A number of neighbourhoods in Lanaken are characterized by their numerous villas and exclusive landhouses. In the 2006 census, around 20 percent of the inhabitants were Dutch nationals.

Lanaken consists of the following villages: Lanaken, Rekem, Neerharen, Gellik, Veldwezelt, Smeermaas and Kesselt.

The South African pulp and paper company Sappi operates a large mill on the outskirts of the town.

In 2006, four 100 m high windturbines were built to provide electricity to the Celanese factory. In the near future 8 more windturbines will be built to support the demand for electricity.

The reactivation of the railway Maastricht-Lanaken will be completed mid 2008. There are plans for the reactivation of the railway Maastricht-Hasselt for light-rail in 2012.

Born in Lanaken

Eric Gerets (1954) Former professional football (soccer) player for Belgium, born in Rekem

External links

• Official website - Available only in Dutch