Mechelen

Mechelen (English traditionally Mechlin, French Malines, German Mecheln) is a municipality located in Belgium, Flemish region, province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper and the villages of Heffen, Hombeek, Leest, Muizen and Walem. On January 1 2005 Mechelen had a total population of 77,480. The total area is 65.19 km² which gives a population density of 1,188.57 inhabitants per km².

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The area of Mechelen was first settled on the banks of the river Dijle during the Gallo-Roman period as evidenced by several Roman ruins and roads. The settlement declined during the 3rd-4th century and the area became inhabited by pagan Germanic tribes, who were converted to Christianity by the Irish missionary St. Rumbold, (Rombout in Dutch), who also built a monastery.

Municipality: A municipality or "general-purpose district" (compare with: "special-purpose district") is an administrative local area generally composed of a clearly defined territory and commonly referring to a city, town, or village government....

Belgium: The Kingdom of Belgium (Dutch: Koninkrijk Belgi?, French: Royaume de Belgique, German: K?nigreich Belgien) is a Federal state in a continuous process of devolution. It is a developed country in North-Western Europe that is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. ...

Flemish: Flemish (in Dutch Vlaams, French flamand, German fl?misch) can either refer to...