Buggenhout


Buggenhout is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Buggenhout proper, Briel, Opdorp, and Opstal. On December 31, 2013, Buggenhout had a total population of 14,444. The total area is 25.25 square kilometres, which gives a population density of 572 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Buggenhout is also known for its forest, the "Buggenhoutbos", which is the largest forest of East Flanders.
The geographic centre of Flanders lies in Opdorp.
Buggenhout has two breweries, Bosteels Brewery and De Landtsheer, now called Brouwerij Malheur .

Etymology

The original meaning of the name is "beechwood" or "beech forest". The name is derived from the Middle Dutch Bucghenhout from Old Dutch Bukenholt. Buken comes from Proto-Germanic *bokjon, holt from *hulta, Old English: holt ). Buggenhout still contains a small forested area called Buggenhoutbos.