Brakel, Belgium
Brakel | |
|---|---|
 Lilare Castle in St-Maria-Oudenhove | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Brakel Location in Belgium
show Location of Brakel in East Flanders | |
| Coordinates: 50°48′N 03°45′E / 50.800°N 3.750°ECoordinates: 50°48′N 03°45′E / 50.800°N 3.750°E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | East Flanders |
| Arrondissement | Oudenaarde |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | (VLD) |
| • Governing party/ies | VLD |
| Area | |
| • Total | 56.46 km2 (21.80 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
| • Total | 14,781 |
| • Density | 260/km2 (680/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 9660, 9661 |
| Area codes | 055 |
| Website | www.brakel.be |
Brakel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbraːkəl]) is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek and the Flemish Ardennes. The name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo first mentioned in 866 and located in the center of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality has comprised the villages of Nederbrakel, Opbrakel, Michelbeke, Elst, . In 1977 Everbeek, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove were added. On January 1, 2006, Brakel had a population of 13,726. The area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density of 243 per km². The mayor is .
The region is known for the green hills and valleys, which attract cyclists and walkers and play a role in the Tour of Flanders cycling race.
The Braekel chicken is named after the town.
The Uitkijktoren, a 32 metres (105 ft) high[2] viewing tower was opened in April 2001.[3] It is located at 50°48′45″N 3°44′21″E / 50.8124°N 3.7391°E on the Twaalfbunderstraat, north-west of Nederbrakel. Orientation boards at the top enable visitors to identify places of interest in all directions.
Famous inhabitants[]
- Alexander De Croo, politician, Prime Minister of Belgium since 2020
- Herman De Croo, politician, former president of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium
- Robbie McEwen, cyclist, won 12 stages in the Tour de France
- Peter van Petegem, cyclist, won Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders
References[]
- ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ "Uitkijktoren Brakel" (in Dutch). Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen. Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
- ^ "Sign at the foot of the Uitkijktoren" (in Dutch).
External links[]
Media related to Brakel, Belgium at Wikimedia Commons- Official website (in Dutch)
| show Places adjacent to Brakel, Belgium |
|---|
Brakel
| show Authority control  |
|---|
- Brakel
- Municipalities of East Flanders