Lanaken

Lanaken
Zuid-Willemsvaart at Smeermaas
Location of Lanaken in Limburg
Interactive map of Lanaken
Lanaken
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°53′N 05°39′E / 50.883°N 5.650°E / 50.883; 5.650
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceLimburg
ArrondissementTongeren
Government
 • MayorMarino Keulen (Open Vld)
 • Governing partiesOpen Vld, Vooruit-Groen
Area
 • Total
58.95 km2 (22.76 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)
 • Total
25,818
 • Density438.0/km2 (1,134/sq mi)
Postal codes
3620-3621
NIS code
73042
Area codes089
Websitewww.lanaken.be

Lanaken (Dutch pronunciation: [laːˈnaːkə(n)]; Limburgish: Laoneke) 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 Belgian-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 immigrants' numerous villas and exclusive landhouses.

Lanaken consists of the following villages: Lanaken proper, Rekem, Neerharen, Gellik, Veldwezelt, Smeermaas and Kesselt. Also located in Lanaken are the hamlets Briegden and Herbricht and the old village centre Oud-Rekem.

The Veldwezelt-Hezerwater Palaeolithic archaeological site is located in the municipality.