Knokke-Heist has 33,818 inhabitants (2009). Knokke is the most
North-Eastern seaside resort of the Belgian coast. It lies close to the
Dutch border and is separated from the Dutch territory by the Zwin
natural reserve.
Knokke is famous for its beaches, and for the dike
system to which it owes its origins. Knokke came into existence because
of the construction of dikes that were meant to protect the area around
the 'Zwin' sea-arm. Originally a simple vacation haven for the city folk
of Brussels in the early 19th century, artists such as James Ensor,
Alfred Verwee and others, started to frequent the small hamlet to paint
its beautiful vistas. The artists rented a small miller's cottage and
founded the Cercle des Artistes in 1880. It gradually became a resort
town with upscale clientele, restaurants and shops. There is also a
Church of England church called St. George's.
Knokke also has one of Belgium's ten casinos, Knokke Casino. The town lies at the northern end of the Belgian Coast Tram route
