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Oudenburg
Oudenburg
; Flag	; Coat of arms
Location of Oudenburg in West Flanders
	; Oudenburg Location in Belgium
Sovereign state	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Ostend
Coordinates	51°11′0″N 03°00′0″E / 51.183333°N 3°ECoordinates: 51°11′0″N 03°00′0″E / 51.183333°N 3°E
Area	35.38 km²
Population; – Males; – Females; – Density	8,929 (2006-01-01); 49.68%; 50.32%; 252 inhab./km²
Unemployment rate	6.19% (1 January 2006)
Mean annual income	€12,599/pers. (2003)
Mayor	Ignace Dereeper (CD&V)
Governing parties	CD&V, sp.a
Postal codes	8460
Area codes	059
Website	www.oudenburg.be

Oudenburg Latin: Aldenburgensis is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenburg itself and the towns of Ettelgem, Roksem and Westkerke. On January 1, 2006 Oudenburg had a total population of 8,929. The total area is 35.38 km² which gives a population density of 252 inhabitants per km².

There was a Roman Castellum on this location, built in the 4th century, who's outline is still visible in the city's streetplan. Some of the stones of the former walls were later used in the construction of the abbey

The former abbey of St. Peter at Oudenburg, founded by Arnold of Soissons was destroyed during the French Revolution.

[edit] History

1070 AD - Arnold of Soissons founded the abbey of St. Peter in Oudenburg
1087 Arnold of Soissons (also known as Arnold of Oudenburg, or Saint Arnold dies.
1226 The City is represented on a Seal
1843 February 2, The arms were granted

The arms show a castle with in the gate the arms of the medieval Lords of Oudenburg. The castle (Burcht) is a canting element. The castle already appeared on the oldest seal of the city, dating from 1226. All later seals showed a castle, but the size and shape of the castle has changed considerably during the centuries. The small shield appeared for the first time in the 16th century.