Aarschot

Aarschot
Aarschot
; Flag	; Coat of arms
Location of Aarschot in Flemish Brabant
	; Aarschot Location in Belgium
Sovereign state	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Leuven
Coordinates	50°59′0″N 04°50′0″E / 50.98333°N 4.83333°ECoordinates: 50°59′0″N 04°50′0″E / 50.98333°N 4.83333°E
Area	62.52 km²
Population; – Males; – Females; - Density	27,864 (1 January 2006); 49.03%; 50.97%; 446 inhab./km²
Age distribution; 0–19 years; 20–64 years; 65+ years	(01/01/2006); 19.35%; 61.01%; 19.64%
Foreigners	1.30% (01/07/2005)
Unemployment rate	7.08% (1 January 2006)
Mean annual income	€14,167/pers. (2003)
Mayor	André Peeters (CD&V)
Governing parties	CD&V, VLD
Postal codes	3200, 3201, 3202
Area codes	013 - 016 - 014
Website	www.aarschot.be

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Aarschot is a city and municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aarschot proper and the towns of Gelrode, Langdorp and Rillaar. On January 1, 2006 Aarschot had a total population of 27,864. The total area is 62.52 km² which gives a population density of 446 inhabitants per km².

It is located in the part of Flemish Brabant called Hageland, located to the east of Leuven. Aarschot is a very typical town with a long history, dating back to the era of the Roman emperors, according to myths. The church, which dominates the look of the city, is built with the typical brown stone harvested from the hills in the neighborhood. The same hills that, in the Middle Ages, were home to some of the most well-regarded vineyards of Europe. Today the chain hills, which originate in Diest and continue as far as Calais in France, are mainly covered with woods and fruit yards.

While the church definitely leaves its mark on the appearance of the city, nothing defines Aarschot better than the river that passes through it: the Demer. Aarschot is situated in the valley of this brown-colored river.