Waasland
Encyclopedia
The Waasland is a region in Flanders
, Belgium
, although without any administrative functions. It is also called the Land van Waas (Land of 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'. The swamps that characterized it are however mostly long drained even though many fields are still noticeably convex - the result of many years of plowing the topsoil towards the middle to improve drainage.
It is part of the provinces of East Flanders
and Antwerp
. In the north, it borders with the Netherlands
. The other borders of the Waasland are with the Scheldt
and Durme river
s. The (informal) capital and major city of the region is Sint-Niklaas
.
Historically, on account of its waterlogged, poor soils the region was thinly populated in comparison to the rest of Flanders
and agriculture was by necessity based on smallholder farms using techniques not usually applied elsewhere even if the farmers had ready markets nearby in the towns of Ghent
and Antwerp. Charles Townshend
, one of the proponents of the early agricultural revolution
was an explicit advocate of agricultural practices first developed here, such as the use of turnip
s in crop rotation and the region for some time attracted study trips by early agriculturists in his wake.
The epic Middle Dutch
tale of the fox Reynard
is set in the region.
The surname "Waas" and variants thereof is quite common in Belgium and refers to this region.
In Antwerp:
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, 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...
, although without any administrative functions. It is also called the Land van Waas (Land of Waas); Waas most likely refers to the soggy soil of the region even though the exact etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
is unknown - one possibility is a connection to the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
word 'wasteland'. The swamps that characterized it are however mostly long drained even though many fields are still noticeably convex - the result of many years of plowing the topsoil towards the middle to improve drainage.
It is part of the provinces of East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
and 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...
. In the north, it borders with 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...
. The other borders of the Waasland are with the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
and Durme river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s. The (informal) capital and major city of the region is Sint-Niklaas
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....
.
Historically, on account of its waterlogged, poor soils the region was thinly populated in comparison to the rest of Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
and agriculture was by necessity based on smallholder farms using techniques not usually applied elsewhere even if the farmers had ready markets nearby in the towns of 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...
and Antwerp. Charles Townshend
Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend
Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend Bt, KG, PC was a British Whig statesman. He served for a decade as Secretary of State, directing British foreign policy...
, one of the proponents of the early agricultural revolution
British Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution describes a period of development in Britain between the 17th century and the end of the 19th century, which saw an epoch-making increase in agricultural productivity and net output. This in turn supported unprecedented population growth, freeing up a significant...
was an explicit advocate of agricultural practices first developed here, such as the use of turnip
Turnip
The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock...
s in crop rotation and the region for some time attracted study trips by early agriculturists in his wake.
The epic Middle Dutch
Middle Dutch
Middle Dutch is a collective name for a number of closely related West Germanic dialects which were spoken and written between 1150 and 1500...
tale of the fox Reynard
Reynard
Reynard is the subject of a literary cycle of allegorical French, Dutch, English, and German fables largely concerned with Reynard, an anthropomorphic red fox and trickster figure.-Etymology of the name:Theories about the origin of the name Reynard are:...
is set in the region.
The surname "Waas" and variants thereof is quite common in Belgium and refers to this region.
Communities in the Waasland
In East Flanders:- BeverenBeverenBeveren 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....
- KruibekeKruibekeKruibeke 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...
- Lokeren
- MoerbekeMoerbekeMoerbeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the town of Moerbeke proper. On January 1, 2006 Moerbeke had a total population of 5,844...
- Sint-Gillis-WaasSint-Gillis-WaasSint-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-NiklaasSint-NiklaasSint-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....
- StekeneStekeneStekene 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...
- TemseTemseTemse 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...
- WaasmunsterWaasmunsterWaasmunster 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...
In Antwerp:
- ZwijndrechtZwijndrecht, BelgiumZwijndrecht is both a village and a municipality located in the Flemish province of Antwerp, in Belgium. As well as Zwijndrecht proper, the municipality includes the villages of Burcht. As of January 1, 2006, Zwijndrecht had a total population of 18,231....