Harelbeke

Harelbeke
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Harelbeke Location in Belgium
Location of Harelbeke in West-Flanders
Coordinates: 50°51′N 03°18′E / 50.850°N 3.300°E / 50.850; 3.300Coordinates: 50°51′N 03°18′E / 50.850°N 3.300°E / 50.850; 3.300
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	West Flanders
Arrondissement	Kortrijk
Government
• Mayor	Alain Top (sp.a-Groen)
• Governing party/ies	sp.a-Groen, N-VA, Open Vld
Area
• Total	29.14 km2 (11.25 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
• Total	27,536
• Density	940/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Postal codes	8530, 8531
Area codes	056
Website	www.harelbeke.be

Harelbeke (West Flemish: Oarlbeke) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Harelbeke proper and the towns of Bavikhove and Hulste. On January 1, 2006, Harelbeke had a total population of 26,172. The total area is 29.14 km² which gives a population density of 898 inhabitants per km². Inhabitants consider their hometown to be a "Weireldstad", which also led to a monthly "Harelbekedag" amongst the students of Harelbeke who are studying in Ghent

This cemetery is located just outside the downtown of Harelbeke and was designed by Willian Harrison Cowlishaw and contains the graves of 1126 Commonwealth soldiers who died during WWI (1055 from the UK, 26 from Canada, 7 from Australia, 4 from South Africa and 3 from Newfoundland). In addition 10 British soldiers who died during WWII are buried here.

Harelbeke has, since 1958, been the start and finish place of the E3 Harelbeke, a semi classic cycling race held the week before the Tour of Flanders.

Roundabout in Bavikhove decorated with artwork referring to (and sponsored by) the local Bavik Brewery