Eupen
[key], town, Liège prov., E Belgium, on the Vesdre River, near the
German border. It is a center for the manufacture of soap, beer, and cables.
Nearby is a major hydroelectric station. The districts of Eupen and
Malmédy
(c.380 sq mi/980 sq km) were awarded (1815) to Prussia by the Congress of
Vienna. Strategically important for the defense of Belgium, the districts
were transferred (1919) to Belgium under the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles. Their population is predominantly German-speaking. During World
War II the districts were temporarily annexed (1940–44) by
Germany.
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