De Pinte

De Pinte
Flag Coat of arms
De Pinte Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°00′N 03°39′E
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	East Flanders
Arrondissement	Ghent
Government
• Mayor	Martin Van Peteghem (CD&V)
• Governing party/ies	CD&V, VLD
Area
• Total	17.98 km2 (6.94 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2010)
• Total	10,227
• Density	570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Postal codes	9840
Area codes	09
Website	www.depinte.be
Map of De Pinte

De Pinte is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. Before its existence as an independent municipality in 1868, De Pinte was a part of Nazareth. The municipality comprises the towns of De Pinte proper and Zevergem. On January 1, 2006 De Pinte had a total population of 10,235. The total area is 17.98 km² which gives a population density of 569 inhabitants per km².

De Pinte is bordered by Sint-Martens-Latem in the north-west, Ghent in the north, Merelbeke in the east, Gavere in the south and Nazareth in the south-west.

History

The name of the municipality is issued from an inn, which was called "Het Pijntken", which was situated in the actual Pintestraat 69, and which was firstly used as the name of the municipality when it became independent of Nazareth on 2. June 1868 and it was called 'Little Nazareth" at that time. At the end of the 19th century many horticultural companies came in this area and further on in the 20th century, they were all parceled out. De Pinte became also a train station between Ghent and Kortrijk (as from 1839) and Ghent-Oudenaarde (as from 1857). The territory remained a vast stretch of moorland of the Abbey of Ghent Saint-Peter, which was called Scheldevelde. As from the 13th century, there was in the east of the current village center, a mining farm located, in which activities started from the 18th century with a systematic exploration. On the Ferrari-map from the 1770s, the place appears as a rural area with scattered hamlets and country estates. In the place of the current center, the map still shows the hamlet Pintestraete. In 1791 there was already a first request for the establishment of an auxiliary church. Its construction was started, but was soon stopped due to the French occupation.

The colours of De Pinte are red and white. The flag can be described as semi-red and semi-white, with a shield and three eight-pointed stars of gold (2:1), next to twelve silver blocks(4:1:7). The ratios are 2:3.

When the community was founfrf at the end of the Ancien Regime, the area was part of the community of Nazareth. Sometimes, the village was called "Little Nazareth". Already in the Dutch period (1829) a request for autonomy was presented under the name "William Village", but was refused. In 1838, new plans for a church were approved and 1839, a first church was consecrated. In the middle of the 19th century, De Pinte intersected by railway lines, the railway Ghent-Kortrijk (1839) and Gent-Oudenaarde (1857). A railway station was opened De Pinte.On 2. June 1868, the community became independent of Nazareth and became an independent municipality under the name De Pinte. Late 19th century, there werea number of horticultural establishments, which were executed later in the twentieth century.

DeThe Pinte colors are red and white. The flag can be described as cut throat and silver, in the heart shield of the flag are three eight-pointed stars (2:1) of gold, silver and twelve blocks (4:1:7). Proportions are 2:3.

Centres

1977, the former communities De Pinte and Zevergem were joined into a new community 'De Pinte'. The jagged southern boundary of the borough had been straightened at that time by boundary adjustments until the Scheldt. Inhabitants-wise De Pinte is larger than Zevergem, but when it comes to surface both districts are almost equal. In general the Oudenaardse Steenweg (N60) is considered to be the border between the two.

The community of De Pinte is bordered by the following districts:

a. Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent) b. Zwijnaarde (Ghent) c. Schelderode (Merelbeke) d. Melsen (Merelbeke) e. Vurste (Gavere) f. Eke (Nazareth) g. Nazareth h. Deurle (Sint-Martens-Latem) i. Sint-Martens-Latem

Politics

The mayor of De Pinte is Martin Van Peteghem. He's the head of a college of maire and Aldermen of the political parties CD&V and Open VLD.

Transport

The N60 (Oudenaardse Steenweg) crosses the community of De Pinte. It gives, by means of the exit 8 (Zevergem/De Pinte) an immediate connection to the Highway A14/E17. The railway station of De Pinte gives an immediate connection with Brussels, Kortrijk, De Panne, Ronse and Ghent.

Happennings

Every year a cycling happening is organized in De Pinte (Sneukeltoer De Pinte), in which about 2300 cyclers participate. The benefits of this happening go fully to the action Kom op tegen Kanker. One of the biggest music-festivals in East-Flanders, Zeverrock, is organized on a yearly basis in the borough Zevergem.

Centres

In 1977 the former communities of De Pinte and Zevergem were joined to a new municipality De Pinte. The whimsical South-boarder of the municipality was straightened by boundary adjustments until the Scheldt. De Pinte has more inhabitants than Zevergem, but when it comes to surface both communities are almost equally large. The Oudenaardse Steenweg (N60) is generally considered to be the boarder between the two municipalities.

Name	Surface	Inhabitants
De Pinte	8,85 km²
Zevergem	9,13 km²
Total	17,98 km² (2009)	10.227 (01/01/2010)

The community has boarders at the following communities:

• a. Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Gent)
• b. Zwijnaarde (Gent)
• c. Schelderode (Merelbeke)
• d. Melsen (Merelbeke)
• e. Vurste (Gavere)
• f. Eke (Nazareth)
• g. Nazareth
• h. Deurle (Sint-Martens-Latem)
• i. Sint-Martens-Latem

Gallery

• 
• 

  Viteux castle

• 

  Scheldevelde castle

• 

  Sint-Niklaas van Tolentijnkerk

Transport

The community of De Pinte is being crossed by the Oudenaardsesteenweg (N60) which gives direct connection to the highway A14/E17. The railway station of De Pinte gives direct connection to Brussels, Kortrijk, De Panne and Ghent.

Events

Each year the cycling tour Sneukeltoer is organised in De Pinte, which has an attendance of about 2300 cyclers. The benefits of this action go to Kom op tegen kanker (an action for the benefits of the treatment of cancer). An annual music festival,one of the largest in East-Flanders, Zeverrock, is organised in the district Zevergem.

Well-known (former) inhabitants of De Pinte/Zevergem

• Katrien Devious, Flemish actress
• Tine Ruysschaert, Flemish actress
• Gabriel Ríos, well-known singer
• Evy Gruyaert (Zevergem), TV-host and presenter
• Frederik Sioen (Zevergem), singer-songwriter
• Paul Van Cauwenberge, rector University of Gent

Partner cities

• Freiamt, (Germany)

External links

• Official website (Dutch)