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Menen is also a variation of the nauruan district's name Meneng

Menen
Geography
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Kortrijk
Coordinates	50°48′N 03°07′E / 50.8, 3.117Coordinates: 50°48′N 03°07′E / 50.8, 3.117
Area	33.07 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population – Males – Females - Density	32,413 (January 1, 2006) 48.90% 51.10% 980 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate	8.79% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income	11,681 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor	Gilbert Bossuyt (sp.a)
Governing parties	sp.a, VLD
Other information
Postal codes	8930
Area codes	056
Web address	www.menen.be

Menen (French: Menin) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Menen proper and the towns of Lauwe and Rekkem. The city is situated on the French/Belgian border. On January 1, 2006, Menen had a total population of 32,413. The total area is 33.07 km² which gives a population density of 980 inhabitants per km².

The city of Menen gives its name to the Menin Gate in Ypres which is a monument to those killed in World War I. The gate is so called as that roads travels to Menen.

Town hall of Menen

Menen's position near the French border led to many sieges in the history of the city. There were as many as 22 sieges between 1579 and 1830. The city was part of France between 1668 and 1713. Vauban turned Menen into a model-fortification (1679-1689). The city was besieged and taken by the duke of Marlborough's allied Army in August 1706. A new art museum, the Stadsmuseum ’t Schippershof, opened in 1999 which holds many works by Menen-born sculptress Yvonne Serruys. The Mayor of City is Gilbert Bossuit. He is a member of the socialist party called SP.a.

Menen, towns and neighbours. The yellow areas are urban areas.

The municipality of Menen consists of Menen proper, Lauwe and Rekkem. In the area of Rekkem, there's also the hamlet Paradijs, separated by Rekkem proper by the A14/E17. In addition to the central town, Menen proper also contains the parishes and districts De Barakken and Ons Dorp. Menen proper is mainly located north of the Leie, Lauwe and Rekkem are located south of the river. The urban area of the city of Menen is directly connected with the urban area of the French municipality Halluin.

The municipality of Menen borders the following villages:

• a. Moorsele (Wevelgem)
• b. Wevelgem (Wevelgem)
• c. Marke (Kortrijk)
• d. Aalbeke (Kortrijk)
• e. Moeskroen (Moeskroen; Wallonia)
• f. Neuville-en-Ferrain (France)
• g. Halluin (France)
• h. Wervik (Wervik)
• i. Geluwe (Wervik)

• Official website - Available in Dutch, English, French and German (see head of site)

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