Ghent
This page is about the Belgian city. For other places called Ghent see Ghent (disambiguation).
Ghent (Gent in Dutch, Gand in French) is a municipality located in Flanders, the main autonomous state of Belgian and in the Flemish province of East Flanders, of which it is the capital. The city centre lies at the confluence of rivers Scheldt and Lys. It is situated at the crossing of the European routes E17 and E40.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. On January 1st, 2000 Ghent had a total population of 224,180 (108,851 males and 115,329 females). The total area is 157.69 km² which gives a population density of 1421.65 inhabitants per km². In terms of population it is Belgium's fourth largest municipality.
Ghent is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved. Interesting highlights are the Sint-Baafs cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the gravensteen, and the Graslei. The city is host to some big cultural events such as the Gentse Feesten, I Love Techno, Flanders International Film Festival Ghent and Festival van Vlaanderen. Night bus services (weekends only) are free of charge.
The city has an extensive harbour which is accessed by the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, which ends at Terneuzen in the Westerschelde.
Ghent was the birthplace of Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V. It was also the site of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which formally ended the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States of America.
See also: Bruges
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