Veklingen

Veklingen is a municipality and town in the Veridian Highlands of Veridia, situated along the Vekli River about 40 kilometers north of the regional capital Arbordale. The municipality covers 28.7 square kilometers and had a population of approximately 4,800 in 2023. It includes the town center and several outlying villages, with rolling hills, farmland, and managed forests in its hinterland.

Veklingen traces its written records to the 13th century, with its name derived from the old Veklin language meaning "edge of fields." It developed as a market town on medieval trade routes, receiving town rights in the 15th century. The 19th century brought textile mills and grain mills, followed by administrative consolidation in the 20th century that integrated nearby settlements into the municipality.

Today, the economy blends agriculture—principally grains and apples—with light manufacturing and services. A dairy cooperative and a small wood-processing facility are among the largest local employers. The surrounding countryside supports agri-tourism and nature-based recreation, including river walks and hillside viewpoints.

Veklingen preserves a compact historic center, highlighted by the 15th-century Church of St. Nicholas and a timber-framed Town Hall renovated in the early 20th century. The Market Square hosts a weekly market and an annual harvest festival that celebrates regional produce and crafts. Local museums recount the town’s rural and industrial heritage.

Administratively, Veklingen operates a 12-member municipal council led by a directly elected mayor. It is part of the Veridia regional association of municipalities. The town is connected by regional roads, with daily bus service to Arbordale and the nearest railway station located about 12 kilometers away; there is no airport.