12 Facts About Ostend

Ostend is a coastal city and municipality, located in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium.

Therefore, Ostend rose in importance because the town provided an alternative exit to the sea.

Harbour of Ostend continued to expand because the harbour dock, as well as the traffic connections with the hinterland, were improved.

Ostend became a transit harbour to England in 1846 when the first ferry sailed to Dover.

The rest of aristocratic Belgium followed and soon Ostend became known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts".

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In 1866, Ostend was the venue for a crucial meeting of exile Spanish Liberals and Republicans which laid the framework for a major uprising in their country, culminating in Spain's Glorious Revolution two years later.

Ostend was occupied by German forces and used as an access point to the sea for submarines and other light naval forces for much of the duration of World War I As a consequence the port was subjected to two naval assaults by the Royal Navy.

Ostend is known for its sea-side esplanade, including the Royal Galleries of Ostend, pier, and fine-sand beaches.

Ostend has a maritime temperate climate, influenced by winds from the North Sea, making summers cooler than inland Europe.

Ostend railway station is a major hub on the National Railway Company of Belgium network with frequent InterCity trains serving Brugge railway station, Gent-Sint-Pieters, Brussels South and Liege-Guillemins on Belgian railway line 50A.

Ostend formerly had busy ferry routes to Dover and Ramsgate, but the last of these services ended with the failure of TransEuropa Ferries in 2013.

Ostend has been used as a film location by numerous directors.