Buggenhout

{{Infobox Belgium municipality

|name = Buggenhout

|picture = Jaren 2010 - Buggenhout - Belgium.jpg

|picture-legend =

|map = Buggenhout East-Flanders Belgium Map.svg

|map-legend = Location of Buggenhout in East Flanders

|arms = Blason Buggenhout.svg

|flag = Buggenhout vlag.svg

|region = {{BE-REG-FLE}}

|community = {{BE-NL}}

|province = {{BE-PROV-OV}}

|arrondissement = Dendermonde

|nis = 42004

|pyramid-date=01/01/2006

|0-19=21.29

|20-64=61.35

|65=17.36

|foreigners=0.96

|foreigners-date=01/07/2005

|mayor = Pierre Claeys (CD&V)

|majority = CD&V

|postal-codes = 9255

|telephone-area = 052

|web = [https://www.buggenhout.be/ www.buggenhout.be]

|coordinates = {{coord|51|00|N|04|12|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}

}}

Buggenhout ({{IPA|nl|ˈbʏɣə(n)ɦʌut|-|Nl-Buggenhout.ogg}}) is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Buggenhout proper, Briel, Opdorp, and {{ill|Opstal|nl|Opstal (België)}}. In 2021, Buggenhout had a total population of 14,689. The total area is 25.25 square kilometres.{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |format=xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 42004 |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=9 May 2022 |language=nl}}

Buggenhout is also known for its forest, the "Buggenhoutbos", which is the largest forest of East Flanders.{{cite web|url=https://www.boeiendbelgie.be/nl/bezienswaardigheden/buggenhout-bosgemeente/341/ |title=Buggenhout bosgemeente |website=Boeiend Belgie |access-date=9 May 2022 |language=nl}}

The geographic centre of Flanders lies in Opdorp.{{cite web|url=https://www.pasar.be/activiteit/wandelen/middelpuntwandeling-te-opdorp |title=Middelpuntwandeling te Opdorp |website=Pasar|access-date=9 May 2022|language=nl}}

Buggenhout has two breweries, Bosteels Brewery (known for the "Tripel Karmeliet", "Deus" (a champagne beer), "Kwak") and De Landtsheer, now called Brouwerij Malheur (known for "Malheur").

Etymology

The original meaning of the name is "beechwood" or "beech forest" (in modern Dutch: {{lang|nl|Beukenhout}}). The name is derived from the Middle Dutch {{lang|dum|Bucghenhout}} from Old Dutch {{lang|odt|Bukenholt}}. {{lang|odt|Buken}} comes from Proto-Germanic {{lang|gem-x-proto|*bokjon}} (Modern Dutch: {{lang|nl|beuken}}, Old English: {{lang|ang|becen}} (beeches)), {{lang|odt|holt}} from {{lang|gem-x-proto|*hulta}} (Modern Dutch: {{lang|nl|hout (bos)}}, Old English: {{lang|ang|holt}} (forest)). Buggenhout still contains a forested area called {{lang|nl|Buggenhoutbos}}.

History

The village was first mention in 1125. It used to belong to the Duchy of Brabant. Due to internal feuds, the area was confiscated. The forest was declared crown land, and the village of Buggenhout became two {{lang|nl|heerlijkheden}} (landed estates). After the French Revolution, Buggenhout was transferred to East Flanders.{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/14387 |title=Buggenhout |website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed |access-date=9 May 2022 |language=nl}}