Geraardsbergen
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| Geraardsbergen | ||
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| Geography | ||
| Country | .svg/27px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
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| Region |  Flemish Region |
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| Community | Flemish Community |
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| Province |  East Flanders |
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| Arrondissement | Aalst | |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: | |
| Area | 79.71 km² | |
| Population (Source: NIS) | ||
| Population – Males – Females - Density |
31,380 (January 1, 2006) 49.44% 50.56% 394 inhab./km² |
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| Economy | ||
| Unemployment rate | 8.35% (January 1, 2006) | |
| Mean annual income | 13,653 €/pers. (2003) | |
| Government | ||
| Mayor | Freddy De Chou (sp.a) | |
| Governing parties | sp.a, VLD | |
| Other information | ||
| Postal codes | 9500, 9506 | |
| Area codes | 054 | |
| Web address | www.geraardsbergen.be | |
Geraardsbergen (French: Grammont) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:
- Goeferdinge, Grimminge, Idegem, Moerbeke, Nederboelare, Nieuwenhove, Onkerzele, Ophasselt, Overboelare, Schendelbeke, Smeerebbe-Vloerzegem, Viane, Waarbeke, Zandbergen and Zarlardinge.
On January 1st, 2006 Geraardsbergen had a total population of 31,380. The total area is 79.71 km² which gives a population density of 394 inhabitants per km².
The current mayor of Geraardsbergen is Freddy De Chou, from the SP-A (Socialist) party.
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[edit] History
Geraardsbergen is one of the oldest cities in Belgium. In 1068, it was one of the first communities in Western Europe to be granted the city status.
Geraardsbergen was destroyed in 1381 by Walter IV of Enghien and his troops. The legend goes that during the siege the people of Geraardsbergen threw some of their food which was left over the city wall. By this they wanted to show that they had enough food to survive a siege for a long time. This bravado not withstanding, the city was still captured by Enghien's troops. This event lives further in the city. Every year during carnaval the city organizes on top of the Oudenberg (111m) the 'krakelingenworp' to celebrate this historical event.
[edit] Places of interest
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- Manneken Pis, the oldest such statue, older than the more famous one in Brussels.
- The wall, a steep street paved with cobblestones, climbed every year by cyclists during the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
[edit] External links
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