Borgerhout facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Berchem
District of Antwerp
District House of Borgerhout [nl]
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Borgerhout
Location of Borgerhout in Antwerp
Berchem Location in Belgium Show map of Belgium Berchem Location in Antwerp Province Show map of Antwerp Province
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Arrondissement	Antwerp
Municipality	Antwerp
Area
• Total	3.93 km2 (1.52 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	45,769
• Density	11,646/km2 (30,160/sq mi)
Postal codes	2140
Area codes	03
Website	[1]

Borgerhout (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔrɣərˌɦʌut]) is the smallest district of Antwerp, Belgium. As of 2021^[update], the district houses 45,769 inhabitants on 3,93 km². It was an independent municipality until January 1983. The postal area code for Borgerhout is 2140.

Geography

Borgerhout is divided into two parts by a highway and the historical walls. The part inside those walls is "intra muros," meaning (within the walls). It is built around a big boulevard, the Turnhoutsebaan. The Turnhoutsebaan is the biggest shopping street, offering both food and clothing, in both Belgian and foreigner's stores. "Intra muros" is the young and trendy part of Borgerhout, with a lot of so-called "hipster bars", although in the last few years "extra muros" is getting more popular and trendy, especially around the Te Boelaarpark with a lot of new businesses like bars and restaurants popping up.

Demographics

Borgerhout has an extremely diverse population, with 63% percent of inhabitants having non-Belgian ancestry. Of the nine districts of Antwerp, it has the highest population density.

History

Borgerhout was first mentioned in the year 1214 in an act written by the Duke of Brabant. It was then named 'Borgerholt'.

Etymology

"Borger" likely comes from the old word for citizen or city dweller. Currently, the Dutch word for this is "burger". It might also refer to the word "borgh", meaning a fortress or fortified building. Borghmeester (1254) or borgermeyster (1286) are mentioned in written sources as the word for "mayor", literally "master of the fortress" or "master of the citizens". "Hout" (or previously "holt) means "wood". It is similar to some naming conventions in English, for example "Hollywood". It refers to a time when Borgerhout was still much greener, and had not yet merged with greater Antwerp. It likely also explains the tree on the coat of arms.

People from Borgerhout

Born in Borgerhout

• Bachir Boumaaza (born 1980), known by his pseudonym Athene, gaming social activist and internet personality
• Guillaume Geefs (1805–1883), sculptor
• Floris Jespers (1889–1965), painter
• Nahima Lanjri (born 1968), politician
• Sister Leontine (1923–2012), pioneer of palliative care
• Milow (Jonathan Vandenbroeck) (born 1981), singer-songwriter
• André Nelis (1935–2012), sailor
• Joris Note (born 1949), writer
• Stan Ockers (1920–1956), cyclist
• Hugues C. Pernath (1931–1975), poet
• Maria Rosseels (1916–2005), journalist and actor
• Michel Seuphor (1901–1999), artist
• Paul van Morckhoven (1910–1990), dramatist and theatre critic
• Robert Van Straelen (born 1934), economist
• Thomas Vinçotte (1850–1925), sculptor
• Eddy Wauters (born 1933), football player

(Former) inhabitants of Borgerhout

• Tom De Cock (born 1983), writer and radio–DJ
• Saskia De Coster (born 1976), writer
• Bart Martens (born 1969), politician and a member of the SP.A
• Alfred Ost, (1884–1945), artist
• Anne Provoost (born 1964), writer
• Wouter Van Besien (born 1972), politician, chairman of the ecologist party Groen!
• Tom Van Laere (born 1974), musician
• Erik Van Looy (born 1962), film director
• Rik Van Steenbergen (1924–2003), racing cyclist
• Carl Verbraeken (born 1950), president of the Union of Belgian Composers

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuskens van Borgerhout==Gallery==

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  Town hall until 1890

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  Reuskens of Borgerhout