View source for Bellingwedde

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- Name and transliteration -->
| name                    = Bellingwedde
| settlement_type         = [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|Municipality]]
<!-- Images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline           = 
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = Bellingwedde vlag.svg
| flag_size               = 100x67px
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Bellingwedde wapen.svg
| shield_size             = 100x80px
| shield_alt              = 
| image_blank_emblem = Gemeente Bellingwedde logo (until 2015).svg
| blank_emblem_type = [[Logo]]
<!-- Maps, coordinates -->
| image_map               = Map - NL - Municipality code 0007 (2009).svg
| mapsize                 = 250px
| map_caption             = Location of Bellingwedde (green) in [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] (dark grey) and the [[Netherlands]] (grey)
| map_alt                 = Highlighted position of Bellingwedde in a municipal map of Groningen
| coordinates             = {{coord|53|7|N|7|9|E|region:NL-GR|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1       = Province
| subdivision_name1       = [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]
| established_title       = Established
| established_date        = 1 September 1968
| extinct_title           = Disestablished
| extinct_date            = 1 January 2018
<!-- Geographic information -->
| unit_pref               = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="ares_stats">{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
<!-- square kilometers -->
| area_total_km2          = {{Dutch municipality total area|Bellingwedde}}
| area_land_km2           = {{Dutch municipality land area|Bellingwedde}}
| area_water_km2          = {{Dutch municipality water area|Bellingwedde}}
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web
 |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool
 |title = Postcodetool for 9698AE
 |trans-title = 
 |language = Dutch
 |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
 |date = 
 |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland
 |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis
 |accessdate = 15 January 2014
 |archive-date = 21 September 2013
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053543/http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool
 |url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
| elevation_m             = 1
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m         =
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m         =
<!-- Population, demographics -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="pop_stats">{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref>
| population_total        = {{Dutch municipality population|Bellingwedde}}
| population_as_of        = {{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}
| population_density_km2  = {{Dutch municipality population density|Bellingwedde}} <!-- For automatic calculation: auto-->
| population_demonym      = 
<!-- Other information -->
| timezone1               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1             = +1
| timezone1_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +2
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code             = 9566, 9695–9699
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code               = 0597
| website                 = {{URL|1=http://www.bellingwedde.nl}}
| footnotes               =
}}
'''Bellingwedde''' ({{IPA|nl|ˌbɛlɪŋˈʋɛdə|-|Nl-Bellingwedde.oga}}) was a [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]] in the province [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] in the northeast of the [[Netherlands]]. Bellingwedde was established in 1968, when the municipalities of Bellingwolde and Wedde merged. After almost 50 years, Bellingwedde was disestablished in 2018, when the municipalities of Bellingwedde and [[Vlagtwedde]] merged into [[Westerwolde (municipality)|Westerwolde]].

== Etymology ==
The name ''Bellingwedde'' is a [[portmanteau]] of ''[[Bellingwolde]]'' and ''[[Wedde]]'', which are the names of the two municipalities that were merged in 1968 to form Bellingwedde. At the time, three names were considered for the new municipality: ''Bellingewedde'', proposed by the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], ''Bellingwolde-Wedde'', proposed by the [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|municipal council]] of Bellingwolde, and ''Bellingwedde'', proposed by the municipal council of Wedde. The province selected the last option, which was eventually also accepted by the municipal council of Bellingwolde.<ref>[[Henk Beernink]], [http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=sgd:19671968:0002693:pdf Zitting 1967-1968-9409] (in Dutch), [[National Library of the Netherlands]]. Retrieved 6 January 2014.</ref>

== History ==
On 1 September 1968, the municipality of Bellingwedde was formed by merging the municipalities of Bellingwolde and Wedde.<ref>Ad van der Meer & Onno Boonstra, ''[http://www.dans.knaw.nl/sites/default/files/file/publicaties/repertorium_NLgemeenten_1812-2006.pdf Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten 1812-2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116054441/http://www.dans.knaw.nl/sites/default/files/file/publicaties/repertorium_NLgemeenten_1812-2006.pdf |date=16 November 2013 }}'' (in Dutch), [[Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences|Data Archiving and Networked Services]], 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2013.</ref>

[[Henk Eijsink]] of the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]], who was the last mayor of Bellingwolde and acting mayor of Wedde, became the first [[mayor of Bellingwedde]] in 1968–1970.<ref>"[http://www.dekrantvantoen.nl/vw/article.do?id=NVHN-19700122-AE0015001 Drs. H.J. Eijsink nieuwe burgemeester Meppel]" (in Dutch), ''[[Nieuwsblad van het Noorden]]'', 1970. Retrieved 21 August 2015.</ref> He was followed by [[Jurjen Jan Hoeksema]] (Labour; 1970–1978),<ref>"[https://www.dekrantvantoen.nl/vw/article.do?id=DVHN-20121121-GO01040006 Jurjen Jan Hoeksema]" (in Dutch), ''[[Dagblad van het Noorden]]'', 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2015.</ref> [[Engbert Drenth]] (Labour; 1979–2007),<ref>Marcel Looden, "[https://www.dekrantvantoen.nl/vw/article.do?id=DVHN-20070206-GO01009005 Rood en maar drie burgemeesters]" (in Dutch), ''[[Dagblad van het Noorden]]'', 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2015.</ref> [[Erik Triemstra]] ([[Christian Democratic Appeal]]; 2007–2013) and [[Janneke Snijder-Hazelhoff]] ([[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]]; 2013–2018).

The municipality merged with [[Vlagtwedde]] into the new municipality of [[Westerwolde (municipality)|Westerwolde]] on 1 January 2018.<ref>Marcel Looden, "[https://www.dvhn.nl/groningen/Westerwolde-40-mensen-tekort-22055710.html Westerwolde: 40 mensen tekort]" (in Dutch), ''[[Dagblad van het Noorden]]'', 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Gem-Bellingwedde-OpenTopo.jpg|thumb|2015 map of Bellingwedde]]

Bellingwedde is located at {{coord|53|7|N|7|9|E|display=inline}} in the east of the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], in the northeast of the [[Netherlands]] on the border with [[Germany]]. It is in the south of the region of [[Oldambt (region)|Oldambt]] and in the north of the region of [[Westerwolde (region)|Westerwolde]].

Bellingwedde is bordered by the Dutch municipalities of [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]] (in the north), [[Pekela]] (west), [[Stadskanaal]] (south-west), and [[Vlagtwedde]] (south), and by the German municipalities of [[Rhede, Lower Saxony|Rhede]] (south-east) and [[Bunde, Germany|Bunde]] (north-east). The nearest city is [[Winschoten]].

The municipality contains the villages [[Bellingwolde]], [[Blijham]], [[Oudeschans]], [[Veelerveen]], [[Vriescheloo]], and [[Wedde]]. It also contains the hamlets [[Den Ham, Bellingwedde|Den Ham]], [[Klein-Ulsda]], [[Rhederbrug]], and [[Wedderveer]].<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde/ Over Bellingwedde] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425203016/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde |date=25 April 2013 }}, Municipality of Bellingwedde. Retrieved on 27 April 2014.</ref>

The north border of Bellingwedde follows the river [[Pekel Aa]]. The river [[Westerwoldse Aa]] crosses the east of Bellingwedde from south to north. The canal [[B.L. Tijdenskanaal]], that unites the [[Mussel-Aa-kanaal]] and the [[Ruiten-Aa-kanaal]] in the south, crosses the west of Bellingwedde from south to north.

== Governance ==
The [[Seat of local government|municipal building]] is located at the Hoofdweg in Wedde.<ref>[http://www.bellingwedde.nl/portal/contact_41877/ Contact] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429044455/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/portal/contact_41877/ |date=29 April 2013 }} (in Dutch), Gemeente Bellingwedde. Retrieved 13 June 2013.</ref>

A municipal government in the Netherlands consists of the executive [[College van burgemeester en wethouders|college of the mayor and aldermen]] and the elected [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|municipal council]]. 

[[Janneke Snijder-Hazelhoff]] of the [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]], appointed in 2013, was the last [[mayor of Bellingwedde]].

The municipal council had 13 members. In the [[Dutch municipal elections, 2014|2014 election]], the last prior to merger, turnout was 57.57% with 4,191 valid votes. The results are shown in the table below:<ref name="2014elections">{{Cite web |date=19 March 2014|title=Bellingwedde municipal election 2014 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20140319/609194 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref> A coalition was formed between the Labour Party (PvdA), the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). All three parties had one alderman in the college of mayor and aldermen. Although the Socialist Party got the most votes, it is not part of the coalition.<ref>[http://www.bellingwedde.nl/bestuur-organisatie/collegeleden_41561/ Collegeleden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712093041/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/bestuur-organisatie/collegeleden_41561/ |date=12 July 2014 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Bellingwedde. Retrieved 20 June 2016.</ref>

{{election table|title=2014 municipal election}}<ref name="2014elections"/>
|-style="background:#E9E9E9;"
!colspan="2" align="left"|Party
!Votes
!%
!Seats
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Socialist Party (Netherlands)}}"|
|align="left"| [[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|Socialist Party]]
| 1,116
| 26.63
|align="center"| 3
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (Netherlands)}}"|
|align="left"| [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]]
| 853
| 20.35
|align="center"| 3
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Christian Democratic Appeal}}"|
|align="left"|[[Christian Democratic Appeal]]
| 572
| 13.65
|align="center"| 2
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}}"|
|align="left"|[[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]]
| 531
| 12.67
|align="center"| 2
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|GreenLeft}}"|
|align="left"| [[GreenLeft]]
| 493
| 11.76
|align="center"| 1
|-
|
|align="left"| Plaatselijk Belang Bellingwedde
| 355
| 8.47
|align="center"| 1
|-
|
|align="left"| Westerwolde Lokaal
| 271
| 6.47
|align="center"| 1
|-
|-style="background:#E9E9E9;"
!colspan="2" align="left"|Total
!4,191
!100
!align="center"|13
|}

Bellingwedde was [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with [[Rhede, Lower Saxony|Rhede]] in Germany in 1979 and [[Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański|Nowogród Bobrzański]] in Poland in 2004.<ref name="Bellingwedde twinning">[http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde/partnerschappen_41621/ Partnerschappen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522073228/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde/partnerschappen_41621/ |date=22 May 2013 }} (in Dutch), Gemeente Bellingwedde. Retrieved 13 June 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.sonntags-report.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=2&idart=327 Nachbarn und Freunde] (in German), SonntagsReport, 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.nowogrodbobrz.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=109 Gminy partnerskie] (in Polish), Gmina Nowogród Bobrzański. Retrieved 13 June 2013.</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|1970|8,871
|1975|8,885
|1980|9,429
|1985|9,380
|1990|9,416
|1995|9,476
|2000|9,549
|2005|9,694
|2010|9,261
|2015|9,154
|source = [[Statistics Netherlands]]<ref name="populationyears">[http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=37259ned&D1=0&D2=0&D3=187&D4=8-54&HD=160619-2121&HDR=G3,G1&STB=G2,T Bevolkingsontwikkeling; levendgeborenen, overledenen en migratie per regio] (in Dutch), [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.</ref><ref name="population2015">[http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=83220ned&D1=0,4-32&D2=19&HD=160619-2132&HDR=T&STB=G1 Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2015] (in Dutch), [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.</ref>
}}

Since 1968, when the municipality was established, Bellingwedde had a population between 8,561 and 9,748.<ref name="populationyears"/><ref name="population2015"/> In 2015, it had a [[Population (human biology)|population]] of 9,154 and a [[population density]] of {{convert|84|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="population2015"/>

== Attractions ==
[[File:Museum de Oude Wolden 3.jpg|thumb|[[Museum de Oude Wolden]] in Bellingwolde]]
[[File:Wedderborg te Wedde 01.JPG|thumb|[[Wedderborg]] in Wedde]]

Two villages have a state protected village area ({{langx|nl|beschermd dorpsgezicht}}), Oudeschans since 1991 and Bellingwolde since 2009.<ref>[http://www.cultureelerfgoed.nl/sites/default/files/u6/3.2.1%20Overzicht%20van%20aangewezen%20en%20in%20procedure%20zijnde%20stads-%20en%20dorpsgezichten%20def.pdf Overzicht van aangewezen en in procedure zijnde stads- en dorpsgezichten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301180606/http://www.cultureelerfgoed.nl/sites/default/files/u6/3.2.1%20Overzicht%20van%20aangewezen%20en%20in%20procedure%20zijnde%20stads-%20en%20dorpsgezichten%20def.pdf |date=1 March 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]], 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.</ref>

There are two museums in Bellingwedde.<ref>[http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde/musea-en-monumenten_41625/ Musea en monumenten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712084944/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/over-bellingwedde/musea-en-monumenten_41625/ |date=12 July 2014 }} (in Dutch), Gemeenste Bellingwedde. Retrieved 11 January 2014.</ref> [[Museum de Oude Wolden]] in Bellingwolde is a [[local museum|regional museum]] about the art and history of Oldambt and Westerwolde. It has temporary exhibitions and a permanent exhibition with paintings of [[Lodewijk Bruckman]] from the municipal collection of Bellingwedde.<ref>[http://museumdeoudewolden.nl/programma Programma] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115121155/http://museumdeoudewolden.nl/programma |date=15 January 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Museum de Oude Wolden]]. Retrieved 11 January 2014.</ref> [[Vestingmuseum Oudeschans]] in Oudeschans is a [[history museum]] about the [[fortification]] of Oudeschans. It has a collection of archaeological findings from the 17th and 18th century on display.<ref>[http://www.vesting-oudeschans.nl/Vestingmuseum.html Vestingmuseum] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112001748/http://www.vesting-oudeschans.nl/Vestingmuseum.html |date=12 January 2014 }} (in Dutch), Vesting Oudeschans. Retrieved 11 January 2014.</ref>

There are five windmills in the municipality: [[De Korenbloem, Vriescheloo|De Korenbloem]] in Vriescheloo,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210431/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8924 Monumentnummer: 8924 - De Korenbloem] (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved 9 May 2014.</ref> [[Niemans Molen]] in Veelerveen,<ref>[https://archive.today/20140427194709/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8921 Monumentnummer: 8921] (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved 9 May 2014.</ref> [[Spinnenkop Wedderveer]] in Wedderveer,<ref>[http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=388083 Monumentnummer: 388083 - Spinnekop] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210438/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=388083 |date=29 October 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved 9 May 2014.</ref> [[Veldkamps Meuln]] in Bellingwolde,<ref>[http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8906 Monumentnummer: 8906] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210442/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8906 |date=29 October 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved 9 May 2014.</ref> and [[Weddermarke]] in Wedde.<ref>[http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8930 Monumentnummer: 8930] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210435/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=8930 |date=29 October 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved 9 May 2014.</ref>

The [[Wedderborg]] is a ''[[Borg (castle)|borg]]'', a type of castle from the province of Groningen, in Wedde. The building has 14th, 15th, and 16th-century elements and is currently used as a hotel and restaurant.<ref>[http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/monument_pdf.php?OBJnr=8925 Monumentnummer: 8925] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225202551/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/monument_pdf.php?OBJnr=8925 |date=25 February 2014 }} (in Dutch), [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]], 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.burchtwedde.nl/Actueel%20afbeeldingen/burchtboekje%202e%20druk.pdf Burch Wedde] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202101816/http://www.burchtwedde.nl/Actueel%20afbeeldingen/burchtboekje%202e%20druk.pdf |date=2 February 2014 }} (in Dutch), Stichting De Burcht Wedde. Retrieved 7 February 2014.</ref>

== Infrastructure ==

=== Roads ===
[[File:Kaart Provinciale weg 368.png|thumb|The location of the [[Provincial road N368 (Netherlands)|N368]] in the province of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]]]

There are no highways in Bellingwedde. The nearest highway is the [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7]] ([[European route E22|E22]]) directly north of the municipality and which is connected to [[Groningen]] in the west and [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]] (Germany) in the east; its nearest access point is exit 48 (Oudeschans).

There are four provincial roads in the municipality. In the northwest, the [[Provincial road N367 (Netherlands)|N367]] connects the municipality to [[Winschoten]] and [[Oude Pekela|Oude]] and [[Nieuwe Pekela]]. The [[Provincial road N368 (Netherlands)|N368]] runs from northwest to southwest, connects Blijham via Wedde to [[Vlagtwedde]], and also connects to the other three major roads. The [[Provincial road N969 (Netherlands)|N969]] runs from west to southeast and connects Blijham via Bellingwolde and Rhederbrug to [[Rhede, Lower Saxony|Rhede]] in Germany. And the [[Provincial road N973 (Netherlands)|N973]] runs from southwest to the center and connects Wedde via Vriescheloo to Bellingwolde.

=== Public transport ===
There are also no railways in Bellingwedde. The nearest railway stations are [[Winschoten railway station|Winschoten]] and [[Bad Nieuweschans railway station|Bad Nieuweschans]] on the [[Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway]] just north of Bellingwedde. The railway is connected to the [[Groningen railway station]] and the rest of the [[Train routes in the Netherlands|Dutch railway network]] in the west and to the [[Leer (Ostfriesl) railway station|Leer railway station]] and the [[Rail transport in Germany|German railway network]] in the east.

The bus lines passing through Bellingwedde are exploited by [[Qbuzz]] (places in Bellingwedde are in italics):<ref>[http://www.bellingwedde.nl/actueel/nieuws_41583/item/dienstregeling-openbaar-vervoer-2013_10201.html Dienstregeling Openbaar Vervoer 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129020714/http://www.bellingwedde.nl/actueel/nieuws_41583/item/dienstregeling-openbaar-vervoer-2013_10201.html |date=29 November 2014 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Bellingwedde, 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref><ref>[https://ovnieuwsuitgroningen.wordpress.com/dienstregeling-2014-bus/ Dienstregeling 2014 Bus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217140754/http://ovnieuwsuitgroningen.wordpress.com/dienstregeling-2014-bus/ |date=17 December 2014 }} (in Dutch), OV Nieuws uit Groningen. Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.ovbureau.nl/publish/library/321/memo_vastgestelde_dienstregeling_2015_2.pdf Memo Vastgestelde dienstregeling 2015] (in Dutch), OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe, 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref>
* Line 11: Winschoten – ''Blijham'' – ''Wedderveer'' – ''Wedde'' – Veele – Vlagtwedde – Bourtange<ref>[https://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_11_Winschoten_Station_-_Bourtange_De_Vesting Lijn 11 Winschoten Station - Bourtange De Vesting] (in Dutch), OV in Nederland.nl, 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref>
* Line 12: Winschoten – ''Blijham'' – ''Bellingwolde'' – ''Blijham'' – Winschoten<ref>[http://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_12_Ringlijn_Winschoten_Station_-_Bellingwolde Lijn 12 Ringlijn Winschoten Station - Bellingwolde] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129050606/http://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_12_Ringlijn_Winschoten_Station_-_Bellingwolde |date=29 November 2014 }} (in Dutch), OV in Nederland.nl, 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref>
* Line 14: Stadskanaal – Alteveer – Tange – Onstwedde – Barlage – Smeerling – Vlagtwedde – Veele – ''Wedde'' – ''Wedderveer'' – ''Blijham'' – Winschoten<ref>[https://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_14_Stadskanaal_Busstation_-_Winschoten_Station Lijn 14 Stadskanaal Busstation - Winschoten Station] (in Dutch), OV in Nederland.nl, 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref>
* Line 811: Bad Nieuweschans – ''Klein-Ulsda'' – ''Oudeschans'' – ''Bellingwolde'' – ''Vriescheloo'' – ''Veelerveen'' – Vlagtwedde<ref>[https://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_811_Bad_Nieuweschans_Busstation_-_Vlagtwedde_Marke Lijn 811 Bad Nieuweschans Busstation - Vlagtwedde Marke] (in Dutch), OV in Nederland.nl, 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref>

== Education ==
There are four [[preschool]]s, seven [[primary school]]s, and one [[secondary school]] in Bellingwedde.<ref>[https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/kinderopvang Kinderopvang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811140249/https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/kinderopvang |date=11 August 2016 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Bellingwedde. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.</ref><ref>[https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/basisonderwijs Basisonderwijs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201210930/https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/basisonderwijs |date=1 February 2014 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Bellingwedde. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.</ref><ref>[https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/voortgezet-onderwijs Voortgezet onderwijs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201210934/https://dloket.bellingwedde.nl/loket/producten-en-diensten/voortgezet-onderwijs |date=1 February 2014 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Bellingwedde. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.</ref> There are no institutes of [[tertiary education]] in the municipality.

== Media ==
''Het Streekblad'' is a [[Free newspaper|free]] door-to-door [[weekly newspaper]] in the municipalities of Bellingwedde, [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]], and [[Pekela]].<ref>[http://www.hetstreekblad.nl/bezorgklachten/ Bezorgklachten] (in Dutch), ''Het Streekblad''. Retrieved 28 December 2015.</ref> ''[[Dagblad van het Noorden]]'' is a [[Newspaper#Daily|daily newspaper]] in the northern provinces of the Netherlands.

Radio Westerwolde is a [[radio]] channel in the municipalities of Bellingwedde, Pekela, and [[Vlagtwedde]].<ref>[https://www.westerwoldeactueel.nl/over-ons/ Over ons] (in Dutch), Westerwoldeactueel.nl. Retrieved 28 December 2015.</ref><ref>Arjan Brondijk, "[http://www.hetstreekblad.nl/evenementen/24990/twintig-jaar-radio-westerwold-terugblikken-en-bluesfeest/ Twintig jaar Radio Westerwolde: terugblikken en bluesfeest]" (in Dutch), ''Het Streekblad'', 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2015.</ref>

== Notable people ==
* [[Jan Mulder (footballer)|Jan Mulder]] (born 1945 in Bellingwolde), footballer, writer, and commentator

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bellingwedde}}
* {{Official website}} (in Dutch)

{{Geographic location
|title     = '''Neighbouring municipalities'''
|Centre    = Bellingwedde
|North     = [[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]]
|Northeast = [[Bunde, Germany|Bunde]]&nbsp;([[Germany|DE]]-[[Lower Saxony|NI]])
|Southeast = [[Rhede, Lower Saxony|Rhede]]&nbsp;([[Germany|DE]]-[[Lower Saxony|NI]])
|South     = [[Vlagtwedde]]
|Southwest = [[Stadskanaal]]
|West      = [[Pekela]]
}}
{{Dutch municipality Bellingwedde}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Westerwolde (municipality)]]
[[Category:Former municipalities of Groningen (province)]]
[[Category:Municipalities of the Netherlands disestablished in 2018]]