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Merksem

January 01, 1970

Merksem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɛr(ə)ksɛm]; former spelling: Merxem) is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It has 44,808 inhabitants as of 2021.[1]

Merksem
District of Antwerp
Merksem, a view on major axis Bredabaan
Flag
Coat of arms
Merksem
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°14′34″N 4°26′29″E / 51.24278°N 4.44139°E / 51.24278; 4.44139
Country Belgium
Region Flanders
ProvinceAntwerp
MunicipalityAntwerp
Area
[1]
 • Total8.42 km2 (3.25 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total44,808
 • Density5,300/km2 (14,000/sq mi)

History edit

The history of Merksem goes back to Gallo-Roman times. During that period the region was mentioned as Merk (border) and Heim (settlement) being part of the diocese Kamerijk. Merksem has for centuries been part of a larger community together with Schoten and Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor. During the Spanish period Merksem used to be a Dominium, a known Lord of Mercxem is Anthony van Stralen. In the 16th century Merksem was separated from Schoten.

Middle Ages edit

Around the year 600, the Franks started colonizing the area near the local Saint-Bartholomew's Church, which was the highest point of Merksem at the time. In 750, the Scheldt river finally started settling itself into its current river bed, which resulted in parts of Merksem becoming peat bog (a type of wetland). Current street names of these areas still refer to these wetlands. (The 1998 and 1999 floods of some residential areas were due to Merksem's geographical location. This would later result in the deepening of the Schijn tributary). In May 1561, Merksem and Schoten were split up.

The current Bredabaan (Breda Road) functioned as a gate between Antwerp and cities located to the north. In 1742, the road would become a toll road.

19th century edit

At the beginning of the 19th century, Merksem was a very rural area with a population of 750. Local farmers mainly provided the nearby city of Antwerp with straw, giving the inhabitants of Merksem the nickname "stroboeren" (straw farmers). In 1874, the area became more industrialized, and most of the land was bought by S.A. Etablissements Industriels et Commerciaux de Merxem. The company would construct the local industry dock (known as 'het dokske'). Due to its ideal location, multiple industrial and commercial companies started to establish themselves in the area, contributing to the population increase.

20th century edit

During World War II, Merksem was occupied by Nazi Germany from 20 May 1940 until its liberation on 4 October 1944. The local population was affected by political repression, deportation, hunger, bombings etc. Many locals opposed the occupation. Resistance fighters were deported to the nearby concentration camp of Breendonk.[2][3]

Bredabaan edit

The road currently known as Bredabaan (Breda Road), once a major northern access to Antwerp, begins in Merksem and goes up north, all the way up until the border with the Netherlands. It ends in the Dutch city of Breda (hence the name). Other major axes would include Lambrechtshoekenlaan, Groenendaallaan, Maantjessteenweg and Ringlaan. Together with Bredabaan they could be considered as the boundaries of the centre of Merksem. Another main axis, that constitutes most of the southern border of the district, is a canal called the Albert Canal, which connects the Port of Antwerp to the river Meuse near Liège and is an important connection for inland freight shipping.

Economy edit

When Delsey Airlines (VG Airlines) existed, its head office was in Merksem.[4]

Sport and culture edit

The Sportpaleis and the Lotto Arena are both located in the district of Merksem and host major sporting events, live music and festivals. The football team of Merksem is "SC City Pirates Antwerp". They play in the fourth division of the Belgian league pyramid system.

Gallery edit

  •  
    Bouckenborgh Castle
  •  
    Library
  •  
    Canal and industry
  •  
    District house

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 11002Q". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. ^ "De Jodenvervolging in België in cijfers" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  3. ^ "Breendonkgevangenen per gemeente". Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  4. ^ "" Delsey Airlines. 3 December 2002. Retrieved on 8 September 2010.

External links edit

January 01, 1970
merksem, dutch, pronunciation, ˈmɛr, ksɛm, former, spelling, merxem, district, municipality, city, antwerp, flemish, region, belgium, inhabitants, 2021, district, antwerp, view, major, axis, bredabaanflagcoat, armslocation, belgiumcoordinates, 24278, 44139, 24. Merksem Dutch pronunciation ˈmɛr e ksɛm former spelling Merxem is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium It has 44 808 inhabitants as of 2021 1 MerksemDistrict of AntwerpMerksem a view on major axis BredabaanFlagCoat of armsMerksemLocation in BelgiumCoordinates 51 14 34 N 4 26 29 E 51 24278 N 4 44139 E 51 24278 4 44139Country BelgiumRegion FlandersProvinceAntwerpMunicipalityAntwerpArea 1 Total8 42 km2 3 25 sq mi Population 2021 1 Total44 808 Density5 300 km2 14 000 sq mi Contents 1 History 1 1 Middle Ages 1 2 19th century 1 3 20th century 1 4 Bredabaan 2 Economy 3 Sport and culture 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External linksHistory editThe history of Merksem goes back to Gallo Roman times During that period the region was mentioned as Merk border and Heim settlement being part of the diocese Kamerijk Merksem has for centuries been part of a larger community together with Schoten and Sint Job in t Goor During the Spanish period Merksem used to be a Dominium a known Lord of Mercxem is Anthony van Stralen In the 16th century Merksem was separated from Schoten Middle Ages edit Around the year 600 the Franks started colonizing the area near the local Saint Bartholomew s Church which was the highest point of Merksem at the time In 750 the Scheldt river finally started settling itself into its current river bed which resulted in parts of Merksem becoming peat bog a type of wetland Current street names of these areas still refer to these wetlands The 1998 and 1999 floods of some residential areas were due to Merksem s geographical location This would later result in the deepening of the Schijn tributary In May 1561 Merksem and Schoten were split up The current Bredabaan Breda Road functioned as a gate between Antwerp and cities located to the north In 1742 the road would become a toll road 19th century edit At the beginning of the 19th century Merksem was a very rural area with a population of 750 Local farmers mainly provided the nearby city of Antwerp with straw giving the inhabitants of Merksem the nickname stroboeren straw farmers In 1874 the area became more industrialized and most of the land was bought by S A Etablissements Industriels et Commerciaux de Merxem The company would construct the local industry dock known as het dokske Due to its ideal location multiple industrial and commercial companies started to establish themselves in the area contributing to the population increase 20th century edit During World War II Merksem was occupied by Nazi Germany from 20 May 1940 until its liberation on 4 October 1944 The local population was affected by political repression deportation hunger bombings etc Many locals opposed the occupation Resistance fighters were deported to the nearby concentration camp of Breendonk 2 3 Bredabaan edit The road currently known as Bredabaan Breda Road once a major northern access to Antwerp begins in Merksem and goes up north all the way up until the border with the Netherlands It ends in the Dutch city of Breda hence the name Other major axes would include Lambrechtshoekenlaan Groenendaallaan Maantjessteenweg and Ringlaan Together with Bredabaan they could be considered as the boundaries of the centre of Merksem Another main axis that constitutes most of the southern border of the district is a canal called the Albert Canal which connects the Port of Antwerp to the river Meuse near Liege and is an important connection for inland freight shipping Economy editWhen Delsey Airlines VG Airlines existed its head office was in Merksem 4 Sport and culture editThe Sportpaleis and the Lotto Arena are both located in the district of Merksem and host major sporting events live music and festivals The football team of Merksem is SC City Pirates Antwerp They play in the fourth division of the Belgian league pyramid system Gallery edit nbsp Bouckenborgh Castle nbsp Library nbsp Canal and industry nbsp District houseReferences edit a b c Bevolking per statistische sector Sector 11002Q Statistics Belgium Retrieved 9 May 2022 De Jodenvervolging in Belgie in cijfers PDF Retrieved 2020 04 30 Breendonkgevangenen per gemeente Retrieved 2020 04 30 Contact us in Belgium Delsey Airlines 3 December 2002 Retrieved on 8 September 2010 External links edit nbsp Belgium portal Official site of Merksem http merksem antwerpen be MIDA this site is in the Dutch language Newssite about Merksem http www stroboerke be this site is in the Dutch language Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Merksem amp oldid 1219967147, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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