Izegem
Encyclopedia
Izegem is a municipality
located in the Belgian
province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Izegem proper and the towns of Emelgem
and Kachtem. Emelgem was added to Izegem in 1965, Kachtem in 1977. Izegem itself lies on the southern banks of the Mandel, Emelgem and Kachtem on the north. Along the shores of the canal a large industrial zone has developed, which made the three municipalities one urban area. On January 1, 2006 Izegem had a total population of 26,544. The total area is 25.48 km² which gives a population density
of 1,042 inhabitants per km².
Izegem is also known as the pekkerstad, borstelstad or schoenenstad. The river Mandel and the canal Roeselare–Leie run throughout the city. Izegem used to be famous for its shoe- and brush-making. Today there are only a few factories left, but the city houses a shoe- and brush museum.
Izegem shares borders with the following villages and towns:
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
located in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Izegem proper and the towns of Emelgem
Emelgem
Emelgem is a village in the Belgian province of West-Flanders and a part of the municipality Izegem. Emelgem was an independent municipality until 1964...
and Kachtem. Emelgem was added to Izegem in 1965, Kachtem in 1977. Izegem itself lies on the southern banks of the Mandel, Emelgem and Kachtem on the north. Along the shores of the canal a large industrial zone has developed, which made the three municipalities one urban area. On January 1, 2006 Izegem had a total population of 26,544. The total area is 25.48 km² which gives a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 1,042 inhabitants per km².
Izegem is also known as the pekkerstad, borstelstad or schoenenstad. The river Mandel and the canal Roeselare–Leie run throughout the city. Izegem used to be famous for its shoe- and brush-making. Today there are only a few factories left, but the city houses a shoe- and brush museum.
| # | Name | Aria (km2) | Bevolking |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Izegem | 14,88 | |
| II | Kachtem | 5,17 | |
| III | Emelgem Emelgem Emelgem is a village in the Belgian province of West-Flanders and a part of the municipality Izegem. Emelgem was an independent municipality until 1964... |
5,44 | |
Izegem shares borders with the following villages and towns:
|
|
Roeselare Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke.... (city Roeselare) Ardooie Ardooie is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Ardooie proper and Koolskamp. In 2006 Ardooie had a total population of 9,147. The local inhabitants are called Ardooienaren.-Sights:* St... (town Ardooie) Meulebeke Meulebeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises only the town of Meulebeke proper. On January 1, 2006 Meulebeke had a total population of 10,980... (town Meulebeke) |
Notable people
- Ancestral town of famed British actor Dirk BogardeDirk BogardeSir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
through paternal grandfather Aimé Van Den Bogaerde. - The band members of 't Hof van Commerce't Hof van Commerce't Hof van Commerce is a Belgian hip hop crew from Izegem in the province West Flanders in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. Their name means 'chamber of commerce' in their local dialect...
, including singer–songwriter Flip KowlierFlip KowlierFlip Kowlier is a Belgian singer-songwriter, from Izegem, West Flanders, born in 1976. He sings in a distinct West Flemish dialect...
, are from Izegem. - Bart Staes, member of the European Parliament, was born in Izegem.
- Johan BruyneelJohan BruyneelJohan Bruyneel is a former road bicycle racer in professional cycling and a directeur sportif for UCI ProTour team . Retiring from racing in 1998, he became director of , a US-based UCI ProTour cycling team...
, former professional cyclist, now director of Team RadioShackTeam RadioShackTeam RadioShack is a professional road bicycle racing team, with RadioShack as the title sponsor, the creation of which was announced on July 23, 2009. Lance Armstrong co-owns and leads the team, which plans to race in the Grand Tours and the UCI ProTour, as well as running and triathlon events...
who led Lance ArmstrongLance ArmstrongLance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
during his seven Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
wins was also born here. - Ulla WerbrouckUlla WerbrouckUlla Werbrouck is a Belgian politician and former judoka.At the 1996 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the women's half-heavyweight category. In January 2007, she joined the newly-established right-liberal List Dedecker party and in June 2007, she was elected member of the Belgian Chamber...
, judoka, Olympic gold winner at the 1996 Atlanta Games.