Country Belgium Region Flemish Region Area codes 012, 011 Local time Monday 2:47 AM | Community Flemish Community Postal codes 3830-3832 Website www.wellen.be Province Limburg | |
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Weather 9°C, Wind S at 11 km/h, 75% Humidity Arrondissement Arrondissement of Tongeren | ||
Wellen is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On 1 January 2008, Wellen had a total population of 7,102. The total area is 26.72 km², giving a population density of 266 inhabitants per km2.
Contents
Map of Wellen, Belgium
The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Wellen , Berlingen, Herten and Ulbeek. Other population centres and hamlets include: Bos, Beurs, Kukkelberg, Langenakker, Oetersloven, Overbroek, Russelt, and Vrolingen.
History
Archaeological findings suggest the place was inhabited already during the Frankish period (5th to 7th century). Debris from the river Herk on that spot made fertile soil for farming. Mention of the name Wellene or Welnis doesn't occur until the second half of the 12th.
The name Wellen derives from the Middle Dutch "wellene", meaning "source" or "pit" or, alternately, from Latin terra Villina, "agricultural holding". Wellen was long associated with the abbey of Munsterbilzen, founded around 670.