Brakel

Brakel
Brakel
; Flag	; Coat of arms
Location of Brakel in East Flanders
Sovereign state	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	East Flanders
Arrondissement	Oudenaarde
Coordinates	50°48′0″N 03°45′0″E / 50.8°N 3.75°ECoordinates: 50°48′0″N 03°45′0″E / 50.8°N 3.75°E
Area	56.46 km²
Population; – Males; – Females; - Density	13,726 (1 January 2006); 48.76%; 51.24%; 243 inhab./km²
Unemployment rate	6.15% (1 January 2006)
Mean annual income	€13,728/pers. (2003)
Mayor	Herman De Croo (VLD)
Governing parties	VLD, sp.a
Postal codes	9660, 9661
Area codes	055
Website	www.brakel.be

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For other uses, see Brakel (disambiguation).

Brakel is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo first mentioned in 866 and located in the center of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality has comprised the villages of Nederbrakel, Opbrakel, Michelbeke, Elst, Zegelsem. In 1977 Everbeek, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove were added. On January 1, 2006 Brakel had a population of 13,726. The area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density of 243 per km². The mayor is Herman De Croo.

The region is known for the green hills and valleys, which attract cyclists and walkers and play a role in the Ronde van Vlaanderen cycling race.

The Braekel chicken is named after the town.

The Uitkijktoren

The Uitkijktoren, a 32-metre high^[1] viewing tower was opened in April 2001.^[2] It is located at 50°48′45″N 3°44′21″E / 50.8124°N 3.7391°E / 50.8124; 3.7391 on the Twaalfbunderstraat, north-west of Nederbrakel. Orientation boards at the top enable visitors to identify places of interest in all directions.