Oostduinkerke

Oostduinkerke (Dutch: [oːzˈdœyŋkɛrkə]; West Flemish: Ôostduunkerke; French: Ostdunkerque [ɔstdœ̃kɛʁk]) is a place on the southern west coast of Belgium, located in the province of West Flanders. 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.