Arques, Pas-de-Calais

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Arques
Fontinettes boat lift
Fontinettes boat lift
Coat of arms of Arques
Coat of arms
Arques is located in France
Arques
Arques
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Location within Nord-Pas-de-Calais region
Arques is located in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Arques
Arques
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Country France
Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardy
Department Pas-de-Calais
Arrondissement Saint-Omer
Canton Arques
Intercommunality Saint Omer
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Joël Duquesnoy
Area1 22.41 km2 (8.65 sq mi)
Population (2009)2 9,945
 • Density 440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 62040 / 62510
Elevation 2–62 m (6.6–203.4 ft)
(avg. 10 m or 33 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Arques is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.

Geography

Arques is situated in the middle of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, 40 km from Calais and Dunkerque, and 45 km from Boulogne-sur-Mer. It lies on the border of the departments of Pas-de-Calais and Nord.

The town is crossed by the Neufossé Canal, which connects the rivers Aa and Lys. The commune also includes several lakes—Beauséjour, Arc-en-ciel, Malhôve, Batavia—and part of the forest of Rihout-Clairmarais.

History

In the wake of the Battle of the Golden Spurs a battle was fought here in April 1303 between French and Flemish. The Flemish were victorious in the Battle of Arques (1303). Arques is not to be confused with Arques-la-Bataille, where the Battle of Arques (1589) took place.

Population

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1793 1,531 —    
1800 1,682 +9.9%
1806 1,691 +0.5%
1821 1,854 +9.6%
1831 2,190 +18.1%
1836 2,330 +6.4%
1841 2,601 +11.6%
1846 2,769 +6.5%
1851 2,771 +0.1%
1856 2,992 +8.0%
1861 3,456 +15.5%
1866 3,805 +10.1%
1872 4,080 +7.2%
1876 4,145 +1.6%
1881 4,270 +3.0%
1886 4,567 +7.0%
1891 4,284 −6.2%
1896 4,355 +1.7%
1901 4,302 −1.2%
1906 4,478 +4.1%
1911 4,658 +4.0%
1921 4,613 −1.0%
1926 4,512 −2.2%
1931 4,696 +4.1%
1936 5,008 +6.6%
1946 5,222 +4.3%
1954 5,800 +11.1%
1962 7,224 +24.6%
1968 8,738 +21.0%
1975 10,042 +14.9%
1982 9,245 −7.9%
1990 9,014 −2.5%
1999 9,331 +3.5%
2006 9,615 +3.0%
2009 9,945 +3.4%

Economy

Arques is famous for its crystal manufacture. It has been the headquarters of Arc International, the largest manufacturer of glassware in the world, since its inception in the 19th century.

Arques is also the home of the Fontinettes Boat Lift.

See also

References

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