Halen (Belgien)

Halen, formerly Haelen, is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg, to the west of Hasselt. On January 1, 2012, Halen had a total population of 9,352. The total area is 36.29 km² which gives a population density of 258 inhabitants per km².The municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Halen proper, Loksbergen, and Zelem.During the First World War, on August 12, 1914, the Battle of Haelen took place here near the river crossing of the Gete.