kids encyclopedia robot

Hamont-Achel facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Hamont-Achel
Hamont, kerk foto3 2009-08-31 17.43.JPG
Flag of Hamont-Achel
Flag
Coat of arms of Hamont-Achel
Coat of arms
Country Belgium
Region Flemish Region
Community Flemish Community
Province Limburg
Arrondissement Maaseik
Area
 • Total 43.66 km2 (16.86 sq mi)
Population
 (January 2010)
 • Total 14,094
 • Density 322.81/km2 (836.08/sq mi)
Postal codes
3930
Area codes 011

Hamont-Achel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦaːmɔnt ˈɑxəl]; Limburgish: Haëmet-Achel) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. It was founded in 1977 by a fusion of the city Hamont and the village Achel. On January 1, 2020, Hamont-Achel had a total population of 14.294. The total area is 43.66 km2 which gives a population density of 315 inhabitants per km2. The municipality houses the Trappist Abbey of Achel, part of which is Brouwerij de Achelse Kluis, one of the 11 Trappist breweries.

The professional tennis player Elise Mertens lives in Hamont-Achel.

Demographics

Languages

  • Dutch in Hamont-Achel is often spoken with a distinctive Limburgish accent, which should not be confused with the Limburgish language.
  • Limburgish (or Limburgian) is the overlapping term of the tonal dialects spoken in the Belgian and Dutch provinces of Limburg. The Hamont-Achel dialect is only one of many variants of Limburgish.

Deadly explosion

On 18 November 1918, the municipality was the site of one of the worst train explosions in history, when two German munitions trains caught fire and exploded. Not only were the trains destroyed, but three German ambulance trains were also wiped out, along with most of the town. More than 1,000 individuals were killed.

Tumulus on Haarterheide

Hamont - Achel - Haarterheide - grafheuvel
Tumulus (2000-1000 BC)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hamont-Achel para niños

kids search engine
Hamont-Achel Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.