Bree, Belgium

Bree is a municipality and city in the Flemish province of Limburg in Belgium, in the arrondissement of Maaseik. Its French name is Brée, and in Latin sources from the 15th to the 17th century the town was often written Breda. Wikipedia records a population of 16,097 in December 2021 and a total area of 64.96 square kilometres, which gives a density of about 246 inhabitants per square kilometre. Bree has a mild oceanic climate of the Köppen Cfb type, with moderate differences between highs and lows and adequate rain through the year. Its cultural life centres on the De Zeepziederij cultural centre and museums that include the Stadsmuseum in the old town hall and the Rijtuigmuseum. The Sint-Niklaasmarkt is held every 5 December and dates from the start of the 17th century, and a goat market takes place on the first Monday after the first week of October. Bree is twinned with Geldern in Germany, Salomó in Spain and Volpago in Italy.