Malmedy

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Malmedy
Geography
Country	Belgium
Region	Wallonia
Community	French Community
Province	Liège
Arrondissement	Verviers
Coordinates	50°25′N 06°01′E / 50.417, 6.017Coordinates: 50°25′N 06°01′E / 50.417, 6.017
Area	99.96 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population – Males – Females - Density	11,829 (January 1, 2006) 48.25% 51.75% 118 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate	12.02% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income	11,572 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor	Jean-Paul Bastin
Other information
Postal codes	4960
Area codes	080
Web address	www.malmedy.be

Malmedy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. It belongs to the French Community of Belgium. On January 1, 2006 Malmedy had a total population of 11,829. The total area is 99.96 km² which gives a population density of 118 inhabitants per km².

[edit] History

Malmedy Cathedral, built in 1777

Some old sources spell the city's name "Malmédy" as this accent was intentionally added when being part of Prussia and Germany, but its official website lists it as "Malmedy", with no accent. Today the city enjoys a degree of political autonomy, being a French-speaking part of the East Cantons together with Waimes and the municipalities of the German-speaking Community of Belgium.

The main church of Malmedy was built in 1777 and served as a cathedral from 1920 to 1925. It still holds the title of cathedral.

[edit] Post World War I

At the end of the First World War, Malmedy and neighbouring Eupen were subject to a plebiscite to determine whether the region would be separated from Germany and annexed to Belgium. The plebiscite ballots required names and addresses of the voters, and the German-speaking population of Eupen and Malmedy were intimidated. Both were formally annexed on March 6, 1925.

[edit] World War II

Plaque next to cave where civilians have been hiding during the bombings of 23,24,25 December 1944

In 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, the area was the site of the Malmedy massacre, where 84 American prisoners of war were executed by German SS troops. Moreover, on 23, 24 and 25 December 1944 the city was bombed repeatedly by the United States Army Air Forces despite the fact it was actually under control of U.S. troops. Approximately 200 civilians were killed in the tragic attacks, while the number of American casualties has never been revealed by the U.S. Department of War.

[edit] See also

• Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which also has a corner named after Malmedy - actually: part of the circuit is on Malmedy ground

[edit] External links

• Ville de Malmedy (Belgique), official website of the city of Malmedy. In French, German, English, and Dutch.
• Pictures from carnival Dominic Jacob

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