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Bilzen | |
|---|---|
City andmunicipality | |
 Alden Biesen Castle | |
 Flag .svg) Coat of arms | |
 Location of Bilzen in Limburg | |
 Interactive map of Bilzen | |
  Bilzen Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates:50°52′N05°31′E / 50.867°N 5.517°E /50.867; 5.517 | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | Limburg |
| Arrondissement | Tongeren |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bruno Steegen (Open VLD, Beter Bilzen) |
| • Governing parties | Beter Bilzen, TOB (CD&V) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 32,318 |
| Postal codes | 3740, 3742, 3746 |
| NIS code | 73006 |
| Area codes | 089 |
| Website | www.bilzen.be |
Bilzen (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈbɪlzə(n)]ⓘ) is a formermunicipality andcity[2] located in theBelgian province ofLimburg.
In 2021, Bilzen had a total population of 32,536.[3] The total area is 75.90 km2 which gives apopulation density of 426 inhabitants per km2.
Bilzen consists of the city of Bilzen and the following villages:Beverst,Eigenbilzen,Grote-Spouwen [nl],Hees [nl],Hoelbeek [nl],Kleine-Spouwen [nl],Martenslinde [nl],Mopertingen [nl],Munsterbilzen [nl],Rijkhoven,Rosmeer [nl], andWaltwilder [nl]. In 1977 they all became part of the municipality Bilzen because of the fusion of municipalities.
Cities in Bilzen's neighbourhood are all within a distance of some 10 to 15 kilometers: to its north isGenk, to its eastMaastricht (Netherlands), to its southTongeren, and to its north-westDiepenbeek.
From 1965 to 1981 Bilzen hostedJazz Bilzen, an annual multi-day open air jazz and rock festival. In its time Jazz Bilzen was the most important Belgian festival. Artists that performed, among many others, included:Humble Pie,The Moody Blues,Deep Purple,Black Sabbath,Humble Pie,The Kinks,The Troggs,Procol Harum,Golden Earring,Rod Stewart,Status Quo,Lou Reed,Aerosmith,AC/DC,The Cure,Toots Thielemans,Keith Jarrett andJohn McLaughlin. From the 1980s onwards, the festival was superseded by Torhout-Werchter, which has now becomeRock Werchter.
For over 300 years, Bilzen was part of theCounty of Loon (French:comté de Looz).
Including Oosterwijk
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