|
Ostend
Ostend is located on the North Sea
coastline approximately 140 kilometres from the Belgian capital Brussels.
 Ostend is a major resort and also a principal ferry
port for cross-Channel services with excellent road and rail communications. There is an
international airport but this is mainly for air-cargo and charter services.
Belgium Fact File
Area: 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq
miles).
Population: 10,213,752
(1998).
Population Density: 334.6 per
sq km.
Capital: Brussels (Bruxelles,
Brussel). Population: 934,460 (1998).
Geography: Belgium is
situated in Europe and bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. The
landscape is varied, the rivers and gorges of the Ardennes contrasting sharply with the
rolling plains which make up much of the countryside. Notable features are the great
forest of Ardennes near the frontier with Germany and Luxembourg and the wide, sandy
beaches of the northern coast, which run for over 60km (37 miles). The countryside is rich
in historic cities, castles and churches.
Government: Constitutional
monarchy. The Kingdom of Belgium was established in 1830. In 1993, Belgium became a
federal state comprising three autonomous regions. Head of State: King Albert II
since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt since 1999.
Language: The
official languages are Flemish, French and German; Flemish is slightly more widely spoken
than French. German is spoken by fewer than 1% of the population.
Weather: Here you can find a rolling
forecast for the
weather in Ostend. Expect temperatures of 5-12 degrees Celsius and rain during the
World Championships.
Useful Links
Tourist Board webs: http://www.oostende.be/home.htm (Flemish) http://www.oostende.net (English)
Interactive City Map - The
Course is built in the Wellington Hippodrome (A6 on the map)
|
