Belgium

Belgium has a short coast line of about 60 km located in the northwest corner of the nation between the Netherlands and France. The coast line lies in the flemish-spoken parts of the country. Important trading ports are Zeebrugge and Oostende.

The belgium coast is a cornerstone in the early beginnings of building aids to navigation. In the late middle ages the european trading routes passed this coast, so that Nieupoort, Oostende and Blankenberge became very important trading outposts for seafarers. Light beacons have been established here very early, a first lighthouse in Nieuwpoort is reported to have been lit in 1284. In later centuries Oostende became an important harbour for trading ships across the north atlantic, whereas the other towns became famous vacation cities in the 18th century.

The belgium harbour cities suffered major destruction in both world wars, and most of all existing lighthouses had to be rebuild in the late 1940s. The lighthouse in Oostende, called »Lange Nelle«, is the fifth to serve on this location.

In Flemish lighthouses are referred to as Vuurtorens (»fire tower«), lightships are referred to as lichtschipen.