Wortel, Belgium

Wortel
Village
St John the Baptist Church
St John the Baptist Church
Wortel is located in Belgium
Wortel
Wortel
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°23′52″N 4°47′45″E / 51.3978°N 4.7958°E / 51.3978; 4.7958
Country Belgium
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceAntwerp
MunicipalityHoogstraten
Area
[1]
 • Total
13.54 km2 (5.23 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total
1,844
 • Density140/km2 (350/sq mi)
Time zoneCET

Wortel is a village in the Belgian municipality of Hoogstraten. As of 2021, it has 1,844 inhabitants.[1]

The toponym means carrot or root in Dutch. Wortel was established in the early 19th century by the Society of Benevolence as a farming colony for the able-bodied working poor. It was meant to provide employment during a time when poverty rates were very high in the Low Countries.[2] Along with the other colonies constructed by the Society of Benevolence, Wortel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021 as an excellent example of a unique method of housing reform and urban planning.[2]

  • Colony house
    Colony house
  • Guard house of the colony
    Guard house of the colony
  • Colony map
    Colony map
  • Clergy house
    Clergy house

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 13014E". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Colonies of Benevolence". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 14 August 2021.


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