Ében-Émael Explained

Official Name:Ében-Émael
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Belgium
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type4:Municipality
Subdivision Name4: Bassenge
Established Title:Founded
Timezone:CET (UTC+1)
Timezone Dst:CEST (UTC+2)
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:50.7833°N 45°W

Ében-Émael (in French pronounced as /ebɛn emal/; Walloon: Eben-Emål; Limburgan; Limburger; Limburgish: Aemaol; Dutch; Flemish: Eben-Emaal) is a village of Wallonia and a district of the municipality of Bassenge, located in the province of Liège, Belgium.

The village is located on the French-speaking side of the language border, next to Kanne on the Flemish side and not far from the border with the Netherlands near Maastricht. It is located at an altitude of 70m (230feet) above sea level.

Until 1963, Eben-Emael belonged to the Dutch-speaking province of Limburg, but when the language border was established, the place was transferred to the province of Liège in Wallonia. It was a municipality in its own right before the 1977 Merger of Municipalities.

History

The town was created under the French regime by the merger of the villages of Ében and Émael. It was then part of the department of Meuse-Inferieure, which became the province of Limburg.

Vicinity

The river Jeker flows past the village and drains its water in a northward direction.

There are several quarries in the vicinity of Eben-Emael. The largest quarry is located on the west side of the village up to the border with the municipality of Riemst The Marnebel quarry is located on the east side of the village. To the east of Eben-Emael is the Plateau of Eben-Emael, which is crossed by the road to Ternaaien.

The nearby Fort Eben-Emael, reputed to be impregnable, was taken by a combined action of German gliders and paratroopers on 11 May 1940.

Local sights include: