Vilvoorde
Vilvoorde (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvɪlvoːrdə] ⓘ, French: Vilvorde [vilvɔʁd]; historically known as Filford in English) is a Belgian city and municipality in the Halle-Vilvoorde district (arrondissement) of the province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the city of Vilvoorde proper with its two outlying quarters of Koningslo and Houtem and the small town of Peutie.
Vilvoorde
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City and municipality | |
Town Hall | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Vilvoorde | |
Vilvoorde Location in Belgium
Location of Vilvoorde in Flemish Brabant | |
| Coordinates: 50°56′N 04°25′E | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province | Flemish Brabant |
| Arrondissement | Halle Vilvoorde |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Hans Bonte (Vooruit) |
| • Governing party/ies | Vooruit, Open Vld, CD&V, Groen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 21.57 km2 (8.33 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01) | |
| • Total | 44,015 |
| • Density | 2,000/km2 (5,300/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 1800 |
| NIS code | 23088 |
| Area codes | 02 - 015 |
| Website | www.vilvoorde.be |
The official language of Vilvoorde is Dutch. There is a French-speaking minority of about 33.7%, concentrated especially in the Koningslo and Beauval quarter bordering Brussels. The French-speaking minority is represented by 3 members on the 33-seat local council.
From 2000 until August 1, 2007, the mayor of Vilvoorde was former Belgian prime minister Jean-Luc Dehaene. The mayor since 2013 is Hans Bonte, also a member of the federal House of Representatives.
The nickname for inhabitants of Vilvoorde is Pjeirefretters (horse eaters) because horse meat (especially steak) is a beloved food in Vilvoorde.