Merchtem

Merchtem
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Merchtem Location in Belgium
Location of Merchtem in Flemish Brabant
Coordinates: 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967°N 4.233°E / 50.967; 4.233Coordinates: 50°58′N 04°14′E / 50.967°N 4.233°E / 50.967; 4.233
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Halle-Vilvoorde
Government
• Mayor	Eddy De Block (OpenVLD-GMB-SPA-LVB)
• Governing party/ies	OpenVLD-GMB-SPA-LVB
Area
• Total	36.72 km2 (14.18 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2016)
• Total	16,083
• Density	440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Postal codes	1785
Area codes	052, 02
Website	www.merchtem.be

Merchtem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɛrxtɛm]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the villages of Brussegem and Hamme, the hamlet of Ossel and Peizegem, and Merchtem proper. On July 9, 2009, Merchtem had a total population of 15,298. The total area is 36.72 km² which gives a population density of 416 inhabitants per km².

Merchtem is known for 'de steltenlopers', people walking on stilts (up to several meters above ground). Langevelde, a part of the municipality, was frequently flooded after heavy rain. In order to reach the centre, people were using sticks to walk. After an internal struggle, the group split up in two parts, 'stichting Langevelde' and 'stichting Jan Vaderhasselt'.

On August 28, 2006 mayor Eddie de Block introduced a ban on speaking French in the town's schools. Mayor de Block said that the measure did not violate human rights and that it would help integration. A previous ban on signs in languages different from Dutch in the town's markets had been overturned by Flemish Interior Minister Marino Keulen.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw church

Steltenlopers