Meerhout
Meerhout is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Meerhout proper. As of January 1, 2008 Meerhout had a total population of 9,578. The total area is 36.29 km² which gives a population density of 264 inhabitants per km². In Meerhout some famous people have lived, like Kate Ryan (well known in France and Belgium, The UK, Turkey, Spain and the rest of western Europe).
Population
As of 1 January 2008, there are 9578 people living in Meerhout. 50.4% of them are men, 49.6% are women. Most people are older than 40.
Education
There are only 5 schools in Meerhout, these schools are both Pre- and Primary schools for children between the age of 3 and 12 years old.
There are secondary schools in the neighbourhood which are easily reachable by public transport or car/bicycle, in Geel, Mol, Diest and Tessenderlo.
Tourism
There is quite a lot of tourism in Meerhout. There are many beautiful routes, like the "drieprovincieënroute" (three provinces route), which is a cycling route going through the provinces of Antwerp, Vlaams Brabant and Limburg. There are also some B&Bs available, and most shopkeepers understand English. Meerhout is very popular among people from The Netherlands, Germany and Ireland. A lot of (older) English people visit Meerhout too because of "The Wing" and other memorial icons of WW2.
Evolution of the population
19th century
| Year |
1806 |
1816 |
1830 |
1846 |
1856 |
1866 |
1876 |
1880 |
1890 |
| Population |
2534 |
2845 |
3237 |
3633 |
3659 |
3664 |
3871 |
4043 |
4363 |
| Note: results as of 31/12 |
20th century until reform
| Year |
1900 |
1910 |
1920 |
1930 |
1947 |
1961 |
1970 |
1976 |
| Population |
4531 |
5362 |
5871 |
6197 |
7189 |
7945 |
8567 |
8521 |
| Note: results as of 31/12 |
After reform
| Year |
1977 |
1980 |
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| Population |
8521 |
8644 |
8790 |
9070 |
9190 |
9192 |
9317 |
9361 |
9463 |
9578 |
| Note: results as of 01/01 - Source: National Institute of Statistics Belgium (NIS) |
Notable inhabitants
- Kate Ryan (Female artist, won several awards, also well-known in France, and getting more famous in other countries all over Europe)
- Zjef Van Uytsel (Dutch singer, famous in the late 80's with his typical, Dutch music)
Trivia
- Kate Ryan lived in Meerhout
- Meerhout is a part of the Economic Network of the Albertkanaal (Albert Channel, named after King Albert 1)
- Zjef Van Uytsel had a famous quote: "Meerhout is een dorp als (g)een ander", which means "Meerhout is a village like (no) others.
- Meerhout has won the price of having the most beautiful center of the province of Antwerp. Listeners of the national radio station Radio 2 could vote.
- Meerhout had its own radio station, "MeerGoud" (MeerHout=>Meergoud, Goud means "Gold"), but they stopped broadcasting in 2006.
References
External links
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| Antwerp |
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| Mechelen |
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| Turnhout |
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