
East Flanders
Encyclopedia
East Flanders is a province of Flanders
, one of the three regions of Belgium
. It borders (clockwise from the North) on the Netherlands
and in Belgium
on the provinces of Antwerp
, Flemish Brabant
(both in Flanders
), of Hainaut (Wallonia) and of West Flanders (Flanders
). It has an area of 2,991 km² which is divided into six administrative districts (arrondissementen in Dutch
) containing 65 municipalities. The provincial population is 1,408,484 and the capital is Ghent
.
The flag has a black lion with red tongue and claws, on a background of horizontal white and green stripes. This is a recent adaptation. The flag of East-Flanders used to be the same as that of the Flanders region; a black lion on a yellow background. The old flag is still publicly used, e.g. for road signs.
.
André Denys (VLD) has been the governor of East Flanders since 26 November 2004.
The provincial deputies are:
The province has a yearly budget of approximately 300 million euro.
Timeline:
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
, one of the three regions of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It borders (clockwise from the North) on the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on the provinces of Antwerp
Antwerp (province)
Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp...
, Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven...
(both in Flanders
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
), of Hainaut (Wallonia) and of West Flanders (Flanders
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
). It has an area of 2,991 km² which is divided into six administrative districts (arrondissementen in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
) containing 65 municipalities. The provincial population is 1,408,484 and the capital is Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
.
The flag has a black lion with red tongue and claws, on a background of horizontal white and green stripes. This is a recent adaptation. The flag of East-Flanders used to be the same as that of the Flanders region; a black lion on a yellow background. The old flag is still publicly used, e.g. for road signs.
Government
The provincial parliament, Provincieraad, has 84 members. Six people chosen by and from the parliament are the deputies, bestendige deputatie, and form the daily government. The daily government is led by the governor, who is appointed by the Flemish governmentFlemish government
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
.
André Denys (VLD) has been the governor of East Flanders since 26 November 2004.
The provincial deputies are:
- 1st Deputy: Alexander Vercamer (CD&V)
- 2nd Deputy: Marc De Buck (CD&V)
- 3rd Deputy: Peter Hertog (SP.A-Spirit)
- 4th Deputy: Jozef Dauwe (CD&V)
- 5th Deputy: Carina Van Cauter (CD&V)
- 6th Deputy Eddy Couckuyt (CD&V)
The province has a yearly budget of approximately 300 million euro.
Governors
- Pierre De Ryckere (1830)
- Werner de Lamberts-Cortenbach (1830–1834)
- Charles Vilain XIIII (1834–1836)
- Louis de Schiervel (1837–1843)
- Leander Desmaisières (1843–1848)
- Edouard De Jaegher (lib.) (1848–1871)
- Emile de T'Serclaes De Wommersom (1871–1879)
- Léon Verhaeghe de Naeyer (lib.) (1879–1885)
- Raymond de Kerchove d'Exaerde (1885–1919)
- Maurice LippensMaurice Lippens (governor)Maurice Eugène Auguste, Count Lippens , was governor of Belgian Congo from 30 January 1921 until 24 January 1923....
(lib.) (1919–1921) - André de Kerchove de Denterghem (lib.) (1921–1929)
- Karel Weyler (lib.) (1929–1935)
- Jules Ingenbleek (lib.) (1935–1938)
- Louis Frederiq (lib) (1938–1939)
- Maurice Van den Boogaerde (1939–1954)
- Albert Mariën (lib.) (1954–1963)
- Roger de Kinder (BSP) (1963–1984)
- Herman Balthazar (SP.A) (1984–2004)
- André Denys (VLD) (2004-)
Timeline:
Formal subdivisions: districts and municipalities
District | Ghent District Ghent District The Arrondissement of Ghent is the largest of the six administrative arrondissements in the Province of East Flanders, Belgium. It is both an administrative and a judicial arrondissement... : |
Oudenaarde District Oudenaarde District The Arrondissement of Oudenaarde is one of the six administrative arrondissements in the Province of East Flanders, Belgium. It is both an administrative and a judicial arrondissement... : |
Eeklo District Eeklo District The Arrondissement of Eeklo is one of the six administrative arrondissements in the Province of East Flanders, Belgium. It is one of the two arrondissements that form the Judicial Arrondissement of Ghent.-Municipalities:... : |
Aalst District: | Dendermonde District: | Sint-Niklaas District Sint-Niklaas District The Arrondissement of Sint-Niklaas is one of the six administrative arrondissements in the Province of East Flanders, Belgium.The Administrative Arrondissement of Sint-Niklaas consists of the following municipalities:* Beveren* Kruibeke* Lokeren... : |
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HASC Hierarchical administrative subdivision codes Hierarchical administrative subdivision codes are codes to represent names of country subdivisions, such as states, province, regions.They are described in the book "Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 Through 1998" written by Gwillim Law.The codes are... NUTS Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics or Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics is a geocode standard for referencing the subdivisions of countries for statistical purposes... INS Population Area |
BE.OV.GT BE234 44 512,407 944 km² |
BE.OV.OD BE235 45 117,125 419 km² |
BE.OV.EK BE233 43 80,574 334 km² |
BE.OV.AL BE231 41 267,274 469 km² |
BE.OV.DM BE232 42 189,638 343 km² |
BE.OV.SN BE236 46 231,262 475 km² |
Municipalities |
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Brakel Brakel 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,... Horebeke Horebeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke and Sint-Maria-Horebeke. On January 1, 2006 Horebeke had a total population of 2,004... Kluisbergen Kluisbergen is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Berchem, Kwaremont, Ruien and Zulzeke. On January 1, 2006 Kluisbergen had a total population of 6,161. The total area is 30.38 km² which gives a population density of 203... Kruishoutem Kruishoutem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Kruishoutem proper, Nokere and Wannegem-Lede. On January 1, 2006 Kruishoutem had a total population of 8,130. The total area is 46.76 km² which gives a population density of... Lierde Lierde is a municipality located in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Deftinge, Hemelveerdegem, Sint-Maria-Lierde and Sint-Martens-Lierde. On January 1, 2006 Lierde had a total... Maarkedal Maarkedal is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Etikhove, Maarke-Kerkem, Nukerke and Schorisse, and part of the hamlet of Louise-Marie. On January 1, 2006 Maarkedal had a total population of 6,468. The total area is... Oudenaarde Oudenaarde is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenaarde proper and the towns of Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne, Leupegem, Mater, Melden, Mullem, Nederename, Welden, Volkegem and a part of Ooike.From the 15th to the 18th... Ronse Ronse is a Belgian city and a municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the city of Ronse proper.- Early settlements to 14th century :... Petegem Wortegem-Petegem Wortegem-Petegem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of Elsegem, Moregem, Ooike, Petegem, and Wortegem. On January 1, 2006 Wortegem-Petegem had a total population of 5,977. The total area is 41.96 km² which gives a population... Zingem Zingem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Huise, Ouwegem and Zingem proper. On January 1, 2006 Zingem had a total population of 6,793. The total area is 23.93 km² which gives a population density of 284 inhabitants per... Zwalm Zwalm is a municipality located in Flanders and in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. The municipality comprises the towns of Beerlegem, Dikkele, Hermelgem, Hundelgem, Meilegem, Munkzwalm, Nederzwalm, Paulatem, Roborst, Rozebeke, Sint-Blasius-Boekel, Sint-Denijs-Boekel and... |
Assenede Assenede is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Assenede proper, Bassevelde, Boekhoute and Oosteeklo. On January 1, 2006 Assenede had a total population of 13,552... Eeklo Eeklo is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the city of Eeklo proper. The name Eeklo comes from the contraction of “eke” and “lo”, two Old German words meaning “oak” and “sparse woods”.... Kaprijke Kaprijke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Kaprijke proper and Lembeke. On January 1, 2006 Kaprijke had a total population of 6,128. The total area is 33.71 km² which gives a population density of 182 inhabitants per... Maldegem Maldegem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of Maldegem, Adegem and Middelburg. Kleit and Donk have always been separate hamlets of Maldegem. On January 1, 2006 Maldegem had a total population of 22,289. The total area is... Sint-Laureins Sint-Laureins is a municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. The municipality comprises the towns of Sint-Jan-in-Eremo, Sint-Laureins proper, Sint-Margriete, Waterland-Oudeman and Watervliet. On January 1, 2006 Sint-Laureins had a total population of 6,582... Zelzate Zelzate is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the town of Zelzate proper. On January 1, 2006 Zelzate had a total population of 12,176. The total area is 13.71 km² which gives a population density of 888 inhabitants per km².Zelzate is... |
Aalst, Belgium Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade,... Denderleeuw Denderleeuw is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderleeuw proper, Iddergem and Welle. On January 1, 2006 Denderleeuw had a total population of 17,357. The total area is 13.77 km² which gives a... Erpe-Mere Erpe-Mere is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Aaigem, Bambrugge, Burst, Erondegem, Erpe, Mere, Ottergem and Vlekkem. There is also a hamlet in Bambrugge: Egem. On January 1, 2010 Erpe-Mere had a total... Geraardsbergen Geraardsbergen is a city and municipality located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:... Haaltert Haaltert is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderhoutem, Haaltert proper, Heldergem and Kerksken. On January 1, 2006 Haaltert had a total population of 17,255. The total area is 30.30 km² which gives... Herzele Herzele is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Borsbeke, Herzele proper, Hillegem, Ressegem, Sint-Antelinks, Sint-Lievens-Esse, Steenhuize-Wijnhuize and Woubrechtegem. On January 1, 2006 Herzele had a total... Ninove Ninove is a city and municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. It is situated on the river Dender... Houtem Sint-Lievens-Houtem Sint-Lievens-Houtem is a Dutch-speaking municipality of Belgium. It is located in the in the Denderstreek and at the edge of the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East Flanders .It is named after Saint Livinus , a Christian saint believed to have been buried... Zottegem Zottegem is a municipality located in Belgium and more particularly in Flanders, in the province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Zottegem proper and the villages of Elene, Erwetegem, Godveerdegem, Grotenberge, Leeuwergem, Oombergen, Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove,... |
Berlare Berlare is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Berlare proper, Overmere and Uitbergen. On January 1, 2006 Berlare had a total population of 14,092. The total area is 37.82 km² which gives a population density of 373... Buggenhout Buggenhout is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Buggenhout proper, Briel, Opdorp, and Opstal. On January 1, 2006 Buggenhout had a total population of 13,840. The total area is 25.25 square kilometres, which gives a... Dendermonde Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde... Hamme Hamme is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Hamme proper and Moerzeke, Zogge and St-Anna as parttowns. On January 1, 2006, Hamme had a total population of 23,232. The total area is 40.21 km² which gives a population density... Laarne Laarne is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Kalken and Laarne proper. On January 1, 2006 Laarne had a total population of 11,736. The total area is 32.07 km² which gives a population density of 366 inhabitants per km²... Lebbeke Lebbeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderbelle, Lebbeke proper and Wieze. On January 1, 2006 Lebbeke had a total population of 17,608... Waasmunster Waasmunster is a municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. The municipality only comprises the town of Waasmunster proper. On January 1, 2010 Waasmunster had a total population of 10,412. The total area is 31.93 km² which gives a population density of 323... Wetteren Wetteren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Massemen, Westrem and Wetteren proper. On January 1, 2006 Wetteren had a total population of 23,209. The total area is 36.68 km² which gives a population density of 633 inhabitants... Wichelen Wichelen is a municipality located in the Denderstreek in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Schellebelle, Serskamp and Wichelen proper. On January 1, 2006 Wichelen had a total population of 11,145. The total area is 22.87 km² which gives a population... Zele Zele is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the town of Zele proper. On January 1, 2006 Zele had a total population of 20,371... |
Beveren Beveren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Beveren proper, Doel, Haasdonk, Kallo, Kieldrecht, Melsele, Verrebroek and Vrasene.... Kruibeke Kruibeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Bazel, Kruibeke proper and Rupelmonde. On January 1, 2006 Kruibeke had a total population of 15,216... Waas Sint-Gillis-Waas Sint-Gillis-Waas is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of De Klinge, Meerdonk, Sint-Gillis-Waas proper and Sint-Pauwels. On January 1, 2006 Sint-Gillis-Waas had a total population of 17,908. The total area is 54.98 km² which gives a... Sint-Niklaas Sint-Niklaas is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Sint-Niklaas proper and the towns of Belsele, Nieuwkerken-Waas, and Sinaai.... Stekene Stekene is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. Since 1976 the municipality has comprised the towns of Kemzeke, Klein-Sinaai and Stekene proper. It also includes the villages of Hellestraat and Koewacht. On July 1, 2007 Stekene had a total population of 17,040... Temse Temse is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Elversele, Steendorp, Temse proper and Tielrode. On January 1, 2006 Temse had a total population of 26,287... |
Informal subdivisions
- DenderstreekDenderstreekThe Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in the heart of Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situated in East-Flanders. The Dutch word streek means region....
- MeetjeslandMeetjeslandThe Meetjesland is a historical region in the north-west of the province East Flanders in Belgium.-Etymology:There are many legends surrounding the origin of the name. The most known is the one of Emperor Charles V who was known for his sexual appetite...
- WaaslandWaaslandThe Waasland is a region in Flanders, Belgium, although without any administrative functions. It is also called the Land van Waas ; Waas most likely refers to the soggy soil of the region even though the exact etymology is unknown - one possibility is a connection to the English word 'wasteland'...
(:nl:Waasland) - Flemish ArdennesFlemish ArdennesThe Flemish Ardennes is an informal name given to a hilly region in the south of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.The area is distinct from the Ardennes, which is situated further to the south in Wallonia, France and Luxembourg....
(:nl:Vlaamse Ardennen) - Lys region (:nl:Leiestreek)
External links
- Official Website (in Dutch)