Schaerbeek

Schaerbeek is a municipality located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium, bordering the City of Brussels to the west, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode to the south, Evere to the east, and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre to the north, with Etterbeek also nearby. The municipality is home to the Josaphat Park, a large public park designed by Édouard Keilig and Louis Van der Swaelmen, and the Schaerbeek Cemetery, where notable figures such as André Renard and Paul-Henri Spaak are buried. Schaerbeek is also close to the European Parliament and the European Commission, with many international organizations and institutions, including the European External Action Service and the European Economic and Social Committee, having offices in the surrounding area. The municipality is served by several Metro lines, including Line 1 (Brussels Metro) and Line 6 (Brussels Metro), with stations such as Gare du Nord (Brussels Metro) and Schaarbeek Station.

Geography

Schaerbeek is situated in the north-east of the Brussels-Capital Region, with the Woluwe river flowing through the municipality, and is bordered by the City of Brussels to the west, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode to the south, Evere to the east, and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre to the north, with Etterbeek also nearby. The municipality is close to the Sonian Forest, a large forested area that stretches across the Brussels-Capital Region and the surrounding Flemish Region, with the Bois de la Cambre and the Parc de Woluwe also nearby. Schaerbeek is also near the Atomium, a iconic landmark built for the 1958 World's Fair, and the Mini-Europe theme park, which features miniature models of famous European Union landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. The municipality is served by several major roads, including the Boulevard Léopold III and the Avenue des Cerisiers, with the Brussels Airport also nearby.

History

The history of Schaerbeek dates back to the Middle Ages, with the municipality being part of the Duchy of Brabant and later the Spanish Netherlands, with the Treaty of Utrecht and the Treaty of Rastatt having significant impacts on the region. The municipality was also affected by the French Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars, with the Battle of Waterloo taking place nearby. Schaerbeek became an independent municipality in 1830, with the Belgian Revolution leading to the establishment of the Kingdom of Belgium, with Leopold I of Belgium becoming the first king. The municipality has a long history of industrialization, with the Industrial Revolution bringing significant economic growth to the region, with companies such as Solvay and Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal having major operations in the area. Schaerbeek is also home to the Schaerbeek Cemetery, where notable figures such as André Renard and Paul-Henri Spaak are buried.

Demographics

As of 2020, the population of Schaerbeek is approximately 132,802, with a population density of 16,300 inhabitants per square kilometer, making it one of the most densely populated municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region. The municipality has a diverse population, with significant communities of Moroccans, Turks, and Italians, as well as other European Union nationals, including French people, Dutch people, and Spanish people. Schaerbeek is also home to a significant number of international organizations and institutions, including the European External Action Service and the European Economic and Social Committee, with many employees of these organizations living in the municipality. The municipality is served by several schools, including the Free University of Brussels and the Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles, with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel also nearby.

Economy

The economy of Schaerbeek is diverse, with a mix of industrial, commercial, and service-based activities, including companies such as Solvay and Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal, which have major operations in the area. The municipality is also home to a number of small and medium-sized enterprises, including SMEs and start-ups, with the European Commission and the European Investment Bank providing support for these businesses. Schaerbeek is also a major hub for international trade, with the Brussels Airport and the Port of Brussels nearby, and is close to the European Parliament and the European Commission, with many international organizations and institutions having offices in the surrounding area. The municipality is served by several major roads, including the Boulevard Léopold III and the Avenue des Cerisiers, with the Brussels Metro and the De Lijn bus network also providing public transportation options.

Culture

Schaerbeek has a rich cultural scene, with a number of museums, galleries, and performance venues, including the Schaerbeek Museum of Folklore and the Josaphat Park, which hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year, including the Schaerbeek Festival and the Brussels Jazz Festival. The municipality is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Théâtre de la Balsamine and the Centre Culturel de Schaerbeek, with the Bozar and the Palais des Beaux-Arts also nearby. Schaerbeek is also close to the Atomium, a iconic landmark built for the 1958 World's Fair, and the Mini-Europe theme park, which features miniature models of famous European Union landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. The municipality is served by several schools, including the Free University of Brussels and the Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles, with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel also nearby.

Transportation

Schaerbeek is well-connected to the rest of the Brussels-Capital Region and beyond, with several major roads, including the Boulevard Léopold III and the Avenue des Cerisiers, and a comprehensive public transportation network, including the Brussels Metro and the De Lijn bus network. The municipality is served by several Metro lines, including Line 1 (Brussels Metro) and Line 6 (Brussels Metro), with stations such as Gare du Nord (Brussels Metro) and Schaarbeek Station. Schaerbeek is also close to the Brussels Airport, which offers flights to destinations across Europe and beyond, with the European Route E40 and the European Route E411 also nearby. The municipality is also served by several train stations, including Schaarbeek railway station and Gare du Nord (Brussels), with the Thalys and the Eurostar also stopping at these stations.