Boom, Belgium

Boom
Municipality
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Flag of Boom Flag Coat of arms of Boom Coat of arms
Boom Location in Belgium
Location of Boom in the province of Antwerp 250x250px
Coordinates:
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Arrondissement	Antwerp
Government
• Mayor	Jeroen Baert (N-VA)
• Governing party/ies	N-VA, CD&V, Open VLD
Area
• Total	7.37 km2 (2.85 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2013)
• Total	17,166
• Density	2,300/km2 (6,000/sq mi)
Postal codes	2850
Area codes	03, 015
Website	www.boom.be

Boom (Dutch pronunciation: [boːm]) is a Belgian town, located in both the arrondissement and Antwerp. On 1 January 2006 Boom had a total population of 16,096. The total area is 7.37 km² which gives a population density of 2,185 inhabitants per km². Residents are known as "Boomenaars".

History

File:BOOM OLV LOMBAERTS.jpg

Our Lady of Boom, ca 1910

History of this community started in the late 1300. The boom in the population growth of Boom happened some time during the 19th century. In Boom, people venerated a miraculous statue of our lady of Boom.

Geography

Boom is located between three big cities (Brussels, Antwerp and Mechelen), and is situated along the Rupel river.

Economy

Because of the presence of clay around Boom, the region is well known for its clay pits and brick factories.

Born in Boom

• Peter Dens (1690), Catholic Theologian.
• Bobbejaan Schoepen (1925), singer-songwriter, guitarist and art whistler. He is also an actor, fantasist and founder of the Bobbejaanland amusement park in Belgium.
• Luc Van der Kelen (1948), journalist at Het Laatste Nieuws.
• Roland Van Campenhout, musician.
• Bavo Claes (1949), former news anchor.
• Glen De Boeck (1971), football player and -coach.
• Bjorn Vleminckx (1986), football player.
• Kevin Seeldraeyers (1986), cyclist.

Events

• Mano Mundo: worldmusic festival in De Schorre (recreational ground). (festival does not exist anymore)
• Tomorrowland (festival): EDM World famous and largest Dance Music festival in the world, that more than 400,000 people attend.
• Feria Andaluza: Spanish festival in De Schorre.

Sports

• K. Rupel Boom F.C.: Football club, currently playing in the Belgian Third Division.
• Kangeroes Boom: Basketball club, currently playing in the second division.
• Braxgata: Hockey club, currently playing in the first division. Hockey club of the year by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) in 2009.
• Fudji Yama Boom-Niel-Schelle: Judo club, founded in 1958

External links

• Boom municipality official website. (Dutch)