Moerbeke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmuːrbeːkə]) is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It is sometimes unofficially called Moerbeke-Waas (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmuːrbeːkə ˈʋaːs]) to distinguish between this place and Moerbeke [nl] in Geraardsbergen.[2] The municipality comprises the town of Moerbeke proper, and part of the Dutch-Belgian village Koewacht.[3] In 2021, Moerbeke had a total population of 6,619. The total area is 37.80 km².[4]

Moerbeke
Flag of Moerbeke
Coat of arms of Moerbeke
Location of Moerbeke
Map
Moerbeke is located in Belgium
Moerbeke
Moerbeke
Location in Belgium
Location of Moerbeke in East Flanders
Coordinates: 51°10′N 03°56′E / 51.167°N 3.933°E / 51.167; 3.933
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
ArrondissementGhent
Government
 • MayorRobby De Caluwé (Open Vld)
 • Governing party/iesOpen Vld
Area
 • Total37.93 km2 (14.64 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total6,455
 • Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Postal codes
9180
NIS code
44045
Area codes09, 03
Websitewww.moerbeke.be

Moerbeke was known very well for its sugar refinery.

It is thought to have been the hometown of William of Moerbeke, who as Bishop of Corinth produced a new translation into Latin of the works of Aristotle, including certain which had been rediscovered from Arab sources, in the late 13th century.

Unique is the political situation: since 1847 the liberal party has an absolute majority. The current mayor is Robby De Caluwé. The previous mayor was Filip Marin.

The aldermen are Pierre De Bock, Marc Fruytier, Thierry Walbrecht, Sarah Poppe and Rudy Van Megroot (all Open Vld).

The members of the council are Frederic Dierinck, Inge Mertens, Koen Mertens and Jonas Vandamme for Open Vld, Steven Aper for N-VA, Lut Vandevijver, Marnik Cooreman and Guido Van Hoecke for CD&V and Etienne Coppens and Chantal Francis for SP.a-Groen, Christophe Clerc (formerly N-VA) and Kristof Van Poucke (formerly N-VA) now both independent

Sports

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The local sports area is located north of the town center. It includes soccer club KFC Moerbeke, a sports hall, tennis club TC Moerbeke, and a scouting facility.

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References

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  1. ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Algemene info: Cijfers en weetjes". www.moerbeke.be. Gemeente Moerbeke. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Moerbeke". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 44045". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
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