Meerle Explained

Official Name:Meerle
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Belgium
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Belgium
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name:
Subdivision Name1:Flemish Region
Subdivision Name2:Antwerp
Subdivision Name3:Hoogstraten
Area Total Km2:24.66
Population As Of:2021
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:3,671
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CET
Coordinates:51.4733°N 4.8036°W

Meerle is a village in the Belgian municipality of Hoogstraten in the province of Antwerp. As of 2021, it has about 3,871 inhabitants.[1]

History

The village was first mentioned in 1266 as Meerle, and means "open forest near a lake/pond". The Thorn Abbey used to have many possessions in Meerle, and the village originally belonged to the Land of Breda. During the 14th century, the possessions were gradually transferred to the Lord of Hoogstraten. After the French Revolution, Meerle became an independent municipality. The village was mainly an agricultural village with an emphasis on livestock. During the 20th century, it increasingly became a residential town.[2] Meerle was an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged into Hoogstraten.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 13014D . Statistics Belgium . 9 May 2022 .
  2. Web site: Meerle . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed. 9 May 2022. nl.
  3. Web site: Hoogstraten . Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed. 9 May 2022. nl.