What is "hesbaye"

The Hesbaye ( French), or Haspengouw ( Dutch, in ) is a geophysical region in Belgium, mainly defining the southern part of the province of Limburg. Other parts are also found in neighbouring provinces: northwestern Liège, southeastern Flemish Brabant and northeastern Walloon Brabant. The Limburgish portion consists the cities of Tongeren, Sint-Truiden, Bilzen and Borgloon, the Flemish Brabant portion includes Tienen, Landen and Zoutleeuw, the Walloon Brabant portion includes Jodoigne and in Liège the towns Hannut and Waremme.

Geographically, Hesbaye borders on two similar regions of rolling hills: to the west Hageland, to the south, on the other side of the river Meuse (Dutch: Maas), Condroz. To the north it borders on the flat sandy Campine (Dutch: Kempen) region. To the south and east it borders on the valley of the Meuse.

The fertile ground of this region's rolling countryside is mainly used for agricultural purposes, and in this context it is often divided into two divisions, with the boundary running through Sint-Truiden, Borgloon and Tongeren. The northern "Humid" (Dutch Vochtig) part has a high water table and many springs; it is by far the main fruit growing area of Belgium, as well as home to some of the most northerly vineyards in Belgium. The southern "Dry" division is somewhat more fertile and the ground water sinks more easily; in this region sugar beet, chicory, flax, rapeseed and grains (90% of which is wheat and barley) are cultivated.