Heusden-Zolder

Heusden-Zolder is a town in the province of Limburg in Belgium which originates from the merger of the independent towns Heusden and Zolder on 1 January 1977. With more than 33.000 inhabitants and an area of 5.323 ha, Heusden-Zolder presents itself as a medium-sized town in West-Limburg. Adjacent to the Albert Canal and equipped with three motorway exits along the E314 and E313, the extremely easy access and convenient location are important features of Heusden-Zolder. From 1923 to 1992 in the mine of Zolder coal was mined. It was here that on 30 September 1992 the last coal mine in the Benelux finally closed. The arrival of many foreign workers (Spaniards, Italians, but especially many Turks) in the mine gave the municipality in a short time a multicultural population. For tourists the Circuit of Zolder is the sign of the municipality. The Zolder race track organized the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1973, from 1975 to 1982 and in 1984. Both the 1969 and 2002 World Cycling Championships were organized in Zolder. In 1969, the Dutchman Harm Ottenbros won the road race for professional riders. In 2002 it was the Italian Mario Cipollini’s turn.