Meerbeke

{{Infobox settlement |official_name = Meerbeke |other_name = |motto = |settlement_type = Village |image_skyline = File:Church of Saint Peter at Meerbeeke (Ninove), Belgium.jpg |image_caption = Church of Saint Peter at Meerbeeke, Belgium |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |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 = Arrondissement |subdivision_type4 = Municipality |subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|Belgium}} |subdivision_name1 = Flemish Region |subdivision_name2 = East Flanders |subdivision_name3 = Aalst |subdivision_name4 = Ninove |established_title = |established_date = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |area_footnotes = <ref name="stat"/> |area_magnitude = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_total_km2 = 10.56 |area_land_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_urban_km2 = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2021 |population_footnotes = <ref name="stat">{{cite web|url=https://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/opendata/bevolking/sectoren/OPENDATA_SECTOREN_2021.xlsx |title=Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 41048C |website=Statistics Belgium |access-date=6 May 2022 }}</ref> |population_total = 5,888 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |timezone = CET |utc_offset = |coordinates = {{coord|50|49|28|N|4|02|25|E|display=inline, title|region:BE_type:city_source:nlwiki}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = |elevation_m = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Meerbeke''' is a village in the Denderstreek in the province of East Flanders in Belgium. Administratively it is part of the municipality of Ninove. This rural community is located along the Dender River on the western border of what is known as "Pajottenland". With a total surface of 1056ha it is the second largest village in Ninove (behind Denderwindeke). With 5.888 inhabitants (in 2021)<ref name="stat"/> it's the most populated village in Ninove, next to the centre of Ninove itself.

It is perhaps most known as the arrival location for the Flemish cycling race the Tour of Flanders (1973-2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.karelvanwijnendaele.be/rondevanvlaanderen.html |title=Ronde van Vlaanderen |website=Karen van Wijnendaele |access-date=6 May 2022 |language=nl}}</ref> Meerbeke used to be an independent municipality until 1977 when it was merged into Ninove.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/themas/13331 |title=Meerbeke |website=Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed |access-date=6 May 2022 |language=nl}}</ref>

== References == {{RefList}}

Category:Ninove Category:Populated places in East Flanders