Aarschot

Aarschot

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Aarschot
Location in Belgium
Coordinates:
Country Belgium
Region Flemish Region
Community Flemish Community
Province Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement Leuven
Government
 • Mayor André Peeters (CD&V)
 • Governing party/ies CD&V, VLD
Area
 • Total 62.52 km2 (24.1 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2010)[1]
 • Total 28,405
 • Density 454.3/km2 (1,176.7/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Foreigners 1.30% (7 January 2005)
Postal codes 3200, 3201, 3202
Area codes 013 - 016 - 014
Website www.aarschot.be

Aarschot (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈa.rsxɔt]) is a city and municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aarschot proper and the towns of Gelrode, Langdorp and Rillaar. On January 1, 2006 Aarschot had a total population of 27,864. The total area is 62.52 km² which gives a population density of 446 inhabitants per km².

It is located in the part of Flemish Brabant called Hageland, located to the east of Leuven. Aarschot is a very typical town with a long history, dating back to the era of the Roman emperors, according to myths. The church, which dominates the look of the city, is built with the typical brown stone harvested from the hills in the neighborhood. The same hills that, in the Middle Ages, were home to some of the most well-regarded vineyards of Europe. Today the chain hills, which originate in Bolderberg, Heusden-Zolder, and continue as far as Calais in France, are mainly covered with woods and fruit yards.

While the Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) definitely leaves its mark on the appearance of the city, nothing defines Aarschot better than the river that passes through it: the Demer. Aarschot is situated in the valley of this brown-colored river.

Famous inhabitants

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