Meerhout

Meerhout (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmeːrɦʌu̯t]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Meerhout proper. As of January 1, 2008, Meerhout had a total population of 9,578. The total area is 36.29 km² which gives a population density of 264 inhabitants per km². In Meerhout some famous people have lived, like Kate Ryan (well known in France and Belgium, The UK, Turkey, Spain and the rest of western Europe).

Meerhout
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Meerhout
Location in Belgium
Location of Meerhout in the province of Antwerp
Coordinates: 51°08′N 05°05′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceAntwerp
ArrondissementTurnhout
Government
 • MayorNele Geudens (CD)
 • Governing party/iesCD, VLD, Vlaams Belang
Area
 • Total36.29 km2 (14.01 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total10,326
 • Density280/km2 (740/sq mi)
Postal codes
2450
Area codes014
Websitewww.meerhout.be

Meerhout is a part of the Economic Network of the Albertkanaal (Albert Canal, named after King Albert 1).

Demographics

As of 1 January 2008, there are 9578 people living in Meerhout. 50.4% of them are men, 49.6% are women. Most people are older than 40.

19th century
Year180618161830184618561866187618801890
Population253428453237363336593664387140434363
Note: results as of 31/12
20th century until reform
Year19001910192019301947196119701976
Population45315362587161977189794585678521
Note: results as of 31/12
After reform
Year1977198019851990199520002005200620072008
Population8521864487909070919091929317936194639578
Note: results as of 01/01 - Source: National Institute of Statistics Belgium (NIS)

Tourism

There is quite a lot of tourism in Meerhout. Tourist routes include the "drieprovincieënroute" (three provinces route), which is a cycling route going through the provinces of Antwerp, Vlaams Brabant and Limburg. There are also some B&Bs available, and most shopkeepers understand English. Meerhout is popular among people from the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland. Some (older) English people visit Meerhout too because of "The Wing" and other memorial icons of WW2. Every year, around the last week-end of April, around 30,000 people travel to Meerhout to go to Groezrock, one of the world's largest punk rock festivals.

Education

There are only 5 schools in Meerhout, these schools are both Pre- and Primary schools for children between the age of 3 and 12 years old.

There are secondary schools in the neighbourhood which are easily reachable by public transport or car/bicycle, in Geel, Mol, Diest and Tessenderlo.

Sports

A cyclo-cross competition is held in October.

Media

Meerhout had its own radio station, "MeerGoud" (MeerHout=>Meergoud, Goud means "Gold"), but it ceased broadcasting in 2006.

Notable inhabitants
  • Kate Ryan (Female artist, won several awards, also well known in France, and getting more famous in other countries all over Europe)
  • Zjef Van Uytsel (Dutch singer, famous in the late 80's with his typical Dutch music)

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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