 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
Oostduinkerke | |
|---|---|
 Former townhall Oostduinkerke | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 51°07′13″N 2°40′43″E / 51.12028°N 2.67861°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Province |  West Flanders |
| Municipality | Koksijde |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8.534 |
| Source: NIS | |
| Postal code | 8670 |
Oostduinkerke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌoːstˈdœy̯ŋkɛrkə]; French: Ostdunkerque [ɔstdœ̃kɛʁk]; West Flemish: Ôostduunkerke) is a place in the Belgian province of West Flanders, where it is located on the southern west coast of Belgium.
Once a municipality of its own, Oostduinkerke now is a sub-municipality in the municipality of Koksijde.
The name "Oostduinkerke" translates as 'East Dunkirk'. The town originally shared its name with the city of Dunkirk in current-day France; therefore, in the 13th century, 'Oost-' was added to its name to avoid confusion with its namesake further to the west.
Oostduinkerke lies amidst a dune area (approximately 2.4 km2; 1 sq. mi.), which is now a protected nature reserve.
Oostduinkerke's sandy beach stretches from 250 to 700 metres (270 to 800 yards) at ebb-tide and extends over 30 km (20 miles), via De Panne to the beach of Dunkirk (France), which explains why Oostduinkerke is popular with sand yachters and parakarters.[citation needed]