Merchtem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Municipal flag Merchtem
 
Location on map of Belgium
Coat of arms Location of Merchtem in Flemish Brabant
Geography
Country Belgium
Region Flag of Flanders Flemish Region
Community Flag of Flanders Flemish Community
Province Flag of Flemish Brabant Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement Halle-Vilvoorde
Coordinates 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967, 4.233Coordinates: 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967, 4.233
Area 36.72 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population
– Males
– Females
- Density		 14,838 (January 1, 2006)
49.65%
50.35%
404 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate 4.88% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income 15,186 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor Eddy De Block (VLD-GMB-SPA-LVB)
Governing parties VLD-GMB-SPA-LVB
Other information
Postal codes 1785
Area codes 052, 02
Web address www.merchtem.be

Merchtem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Peizegem, Brussegem, Hamme and Merchtem proper. On January 1, 2006 Merchtem had a total population of 14,838. The total area is 36.72 km² which gives a population density of 404 inhabitants per km².

Contents

[edit] Folklore

Merchtem is known for 'de steltenlopers', people walking on high sticks (up to several meters above ground). Langevelde, a part of the commune, was frequently flooded after heavy rain. In order to reach the centre, people were using sticks to walk. After an internal struggle, the group split up in two parts, 'stichting Langevelde' and 'stichting Jan Vaderhasselt'.

[edit] Language controversy

On August 28, 2006 mayor Eddie de Block introduced a ban on speaking French in the town's schools. Mayor de Block said that the measure did not violate human rights and that it would help integration. A previous ban on signs in languages different from Dutch in the town's markets had been overturned by Flemish Interior Minister Marino Keulen.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Belgian town bans school French", BBC News, September 1, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-01. 

[edit] External links

 This Flemish Brabant location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
v • d • e
Municipalities in the Province of Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium
Halle-Vilvoorde
Leuven