Brugge or Bruges, located in the northwest of Belgium, is the capital and largest city of West Flanders, with a population of 117,224 (2006). In Europe also known as the "Venice of the North." Brugge is located at the junction of coastal land reclamation and inland sandy land, the elevation is quite low, about only 7.5 meters above sea level. Its historic city limits are delineated by walls. The wall was built in 1297, and in the early 17th century built a series of bastions (bastion). The wall is 6800 meters long, enclosing a 410-hectare area. Planning from 1275 until the 18th century can still be suitable for urban development, but in 1782-1784, a number of fortifications were demolished. In the 19th century, the wall was changed to a walk place, four gates and a defensive tower (defence tower) stayed. The development of the city's core is centered around two centers: the Burg of the Count, a 16-hectare island of the Quartet; and the merchant-dominated neighborhood of the old castle (Oude Burg). The old castle was the city's first development center in the 12th century. Before the wall can be seen from the city canal.