Bree, Belgium

Toponymy

In Latin sources from the 15th to the 17th century, Bree was frequently referred to as Breda.

Culture

Cultural center

• De Zeepziederij, the cultural center of Bree. This center was known till 2019 as the cultural center of De Breughel.

Musea

• Stadsmuseum Bree, located in the old town hall
• Rijtuigmuseum Bree
• De Gulden Tas, the smallest coffee roastery in Belgium, founded in 1995

Events

• The yearly Sint-Niklaasmarkt on 5 December, organized from the start of the 17th century
• The yearly Goat market which takes place on the first Monday after the first week of October. Many years ago the best goats were sold here, now it is a folklore-event

Climate

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).

Demographics

Bree had a population of 16,097 (7,991 men and 8,106 women) as of 6 December 2021, 9% of the population has a foreign nationality.

Income

The average income in Bree is €18,659 per year as of 2019.

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Notable inhabitants

• Jaak Broekx, oldest man in Belgium from 2021 to 2023
• Kim Clijsters, tennis player, former WTA number 1
• Lei Clijsters, football player, father of Kim
• Thibaut Courtois, football player for Real Madrid and the Belgium national football team
• Gert Doumen, former football player
• Stefan Everts, motocross racer, 10-time Motocross World Champion
• Johnny Galecki, American actor, born in Bree; raised in the United States
• Bas Leinders, racing driver, tested for the Minardi Formula 1 team in 2004, born in Bree
• Max Verstappen, four time Formula One World Champion driver for Red Bull Racing

Twin towns – sister cities

Bree is twinned with:

• GER Geldern, Germany
• ESP Salomó, Spain
• ITA Volpago, Italy

In addition, Bree established economic cooperation with Yangzhou, China.

References

References

1. (5 June 1985). "Wet waarbij aan de gemeente Bree de titel van stad wordt verleend". [[Belgian Official Gazette]].
2. Van Bastelaer, René. ''Les estamps de Peter Bruegel l'ancien''. Bruxelles: Librairie Nationale d'Art & d'Histoire, 1908, p. 3.
3. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=132541&cityname=Bree%2C+Limburg%2C+Belgium&units= Climate Summary for Bree, Belgium]
4. "Bevolking naar nationaliteit".
5. "Bree {{!}} Statbel".
6. "Bree {{!}} Statbel".
7. "Verzusteringen". Bree.