Merchtem
Merchtem | |||
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Municipality | |||
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Location in Belgium | |||
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Location of Merchtem in Flemish Brabant
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Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |||
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
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Parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Kerkstraat Merchtem Belgium.jpg
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw church
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Merchtemsteltenlopers.jpg
Steltenlopers
References
- ↑ Population per municipality on 1 January 2013 (XLS; 607.5 KB)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (Dutch)
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Buggenhout (VOV) | Londerzeel | ||
Opwijk | Meise | |||
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Asse | Wemmel |
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