Buggenhout
Buggenhout is a municipality in the Belgian province o East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the touns o Buggenhout proper, Briel, Opdorp, an Opstal. On Januar 1, 2006 Buggenhout haed a total population o 13,840. The total aurie is 25.25 square kilometres, which gives a population density o 548 inhabitants per square kilometre. The current mayor o Buggenhout is Tom Van Herreweghe, frae the (local) NCD party.
Buggenhout is the geometrical center o Flanders: If you take a cardboard cut-oot o Flanders, an balance it on a needle whaur Buggenhout is, the whole cut-oot wad be in balance.
Buggenhout is an aa kent for its forest, the "Buggenhout Bos", which is the lairgest forest o East Flanders.
Buggenhout haes twa breweries, Bosteels (kent for the "Tripel Karmeliet", "Deus" (a champagne beer), "Kwak") an De Landtsheer (kent for "Malheur").
[edit] Etymology
The modren name "Buggenhout" stems frae the Middle Dutch "Bucghenhout" which on its turn stems frae the Auld Dutch "Bukenholt". Buken comes frae Proto-Germanic *bokjon (Modren Dutch: beuken, Auld Inglis: becen (beechs)), holt frae *hulta (Modren Dutch: hout (bos), Auld Inglis: holt (forest)). Thegither, they wad form "Beukenhout" or "Beech forest". Buggenhout is still kent for its forest "Buggenhoutbos" (Buggenhout forest).
