Lanaken

Geschiedenis

Lanaken is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2007, the municipality of Lanaken had a total population of 24,724. Its area is 59.00 km² which gives a population density of 415 inhabitants per km².Lanaken is located on the Dutch border, bordering Maastricht directly. In the 2006 census, some 20 percent of the inhabitants turned out to have the Dutch nationality. A number of neighbourhoods in Lanaken is characterized by these immigrant's numerous villas and exclusive landhouses.Lanaken consists of the following villages: Lanaken proper, 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 meter high wind turbines were built to provide electricity to the Celanese factory. Later on 8 more have been built.The reactivation of the railway Maastricht-Lanaken-Hasselt will possibly be started in 2014. The Veldwezelt-Hezerwater Palaeolithic archaeological site is located in the municipality.