Boussu

Boussu is a Walloon municipality in the Belgian province of Hainaut. As of January 1, 2006, Boussu had a population of 20,058. The total area is 20.01 km², which gives a population density of 1,002 inhabitants per km².

Boussu
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Boussu
Location in Belgium
Location of Boussu in Hainaut
Coordinates: 50°26′N 03°48′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFrench Community
RegionWallonia
ProvinceHainaut
ArrondissementMons
Government
 • MayorJean-Claude Debiève
 • Governing party/iesPS
Area
 • Total20.01 km2 (7.73 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total19,856
 • Density990/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Postal codes
7300, 7301
Area codes065
Websitewww.boussu.be

History
Thierry de Hennin Liétard funerary memorial (1406–1430)

During the late Middle Ages the town gave his name to an important branch of the House of Hénin. The castle of Boussu was constructed in this period, and important members of this family are buried inside the church. Most famous is the Mausoleum of Maximilien II de Hénin, 5th Count of Bossu.

In the 19th century local industry expanded. A planned industrial city, called le Grand Hornu, was constructed. Located in Hornu, the buildings are now a museum.

Etymology

As its neighbouring municipality, Hornu, Boussu's town is very old and the history of Saint Waudru mentions the existence of a church in the 13th century. In the acts of the past, Boussu conquered very diverse titles: Buxutum, Bussuth, Bussut, Bossut, Boussut. However, the etymology is very simple. This means "the place abundant in boxwood" (in Latin buxus: meaning boxwood or buxutum meaning boxwood coppice).

Famous inhabitants

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  • Media related to Boussu at Wikimedia Commons
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.