Merchtem

Merchtem
Municipality

Flag
Coat of arms
Merchtem

Location in Belgium

Coordinates: 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967°N 4.233°E / 50.967; 4.233Coordinates: 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967°N 4.233°E / 50.967; 4.233
Country Belgium
Community Flemish Community
Region Flemish Region
Province Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement Halle-Vilvoorde
Government
 • Mayor Eddy De Block (OpenVLD-GMB-SPA-LVB)
 • Governing party/ies OpenVLD-GMB-SPA-LVB
Area
 • Total 36.72 km2 (14.18 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)[1]
 • Total 15,693
 • Density 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes 1785
Area codes 052, 02
Website www.merchtem.be

Merchtem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɛrxtəm]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the villages of Brussegem and Hamme, the hamlet of Ossel and Peizegem, and Merchtem proper. On July 9, 2009, Merchtem had a total population of 15,298.[2] The total area is 36.72 km² which gives a population density of 416 inhabitants per km².

Folklore

Merchtem is known for 'de steltenlopers', people walking on stilts (up to several meters above ground). Langevelde, a part of the municipality, 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'.

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.[3]

Places of interest

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)
  2. ↑ "Merchtem: bevolkingsaantal op 9 juli 2009". merchtem.be. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  3. ↑ "Belgian town bans school French". BBC News. September 1, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-01.

External links

 Buggenhout (VOV)
Londerzeel
Opwijk Meise
   Merchtem  
Asse Wemmel


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, December 26, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.