Brakel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brakel | |
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| Province: | East Flanders |
| District: | Oudenaarde |
| Area: | 56.46 km² |
| Population: | 13,726 (1 January 2006) |
| Population density: | 243 /km² |
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Brakel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality's name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo which was first mentioned in 866 and which was located in the center of the town of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality comprises the villages of Nederbrakel, Opbrakel, Michelbeke, Elst, Zegelsem. In 1977 Everbeek, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove were added to the municipality. On January 1st, 2006 Brakel had a total population of 13,726. The total area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density of 243 inhabitants per km².
The current mayor of Brakel is Herman De Croo.
The region is well known for the green hills and valleys, which attract many cyclists and walkers and play an important role in the final of the Ronde van Vlaanderen cycling race.
The Braekel chicken received its name after this town.
[edit] Famous inhabitants
- Herman De Croo, politician, president of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
- Robbie McEwen, cyclist, won 8 stages in the Tour de France
- Peter Van Petegem, cyclist, won Paris-Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen
[edit] External links
- Official website - Only available in Dutch
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Municipalities in the Province of East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium |
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|---|---|---|
| Aalst: Aalst | Denderleeuw | Erpe-Mere | Geraardsbergen | Haaltert | Herzele | Lede | Ninove | Sint-Lievens-Houtem | Zottegem | | ||
| Dendermonde: Berlare | Buggenhout | Dendermonde | Hamme | Laarne | Lebbeke | Waasmunster | Wetteren | Wichelen | Zele | | ||
| Eeklo: Assenede | Eeklo | Kaprijke | Maldegem | Sint-Laureins | Zelzate | | ||
| Ghent: Aalter | Deinze | De Pinte | Destelbergen | Evergem | Gavere | Ghent | Knesselare | Lochristi | Lovendegem | Melle | Merelbeke | Moerbeke | Nazareth | Nevele | Oosterzele | Sint-Martens-Latem | Waarschoot | Wachtebeke | Zomergem | Zulte | | ||
| Oudenaarde: Brakel | Horebeke | Kluisbergen | Kruishoutem | Lierde | Maarkedal | Oudenaarde | Ronse | Wortegem-Petegem | Zingem | Zwalm | | ||
| Sint-Niklaas: Beveren | Kruibeke | Lokeren | Sint-Gillis-Waas | Sint-Niklaas | Stekene | Temse | | ||
