West Flanders borders on the North Sea in the west, the Netherlands in
the northeast and France in the south. The main cities are: Bruges (the
capital), Kortrijk, Oostende, Ypres, and Roeselare.
West Flanders is drained by the Leie and Yser rivers and has many small
canals. It has considerable fertile soil where grain, flax, potatoes, sugar
beets, and tobacco are grown. Dairy cattle are raised. Fishing is pursued in the
North Sea. The province's varied manufacture include textiles, linen, and metal
goods.
West Flanders is mainly Dutch-speaking.