Melle () is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...

located in the

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

province of

East Flanders , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Province of Belgium , image_flag = Flag of Oost-Vlaanderen.svg , flag_size = , image_shield = Wapen van O ...

. The municipality comprises the villages of and Melle proper. On 1 January 2018 Melle had a total population of 11,574. The total area is 15.21 km² which gives a

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...

of 761 inhabitants per km². Melle was mentioned in documents in 830, although the archeological findings prove the region was inhabited long before that date. The name Melle has two possible derivations: the

Celtic Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to: Language and ethnicity *pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia **Celts (modern) *Celtic languages **Proto-Celtic language *Celtic music *Celtic nations Sports Foo ...

word ''melina'' means "brown water"; the prehistoric name ''Melinos'' means "honey yellow". The village of Melle consists of three regions: Melle-Centre, Melle-Vogelhoek and Gontrode (since the fusion in 1976). One of its famous products is the

Delirium Tremens Delirium tremens (DTs) is a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol. When it occurs, it is often three days into the withdrawal symptoms and lasts for two to three days. Physical effects may include shaking, shiver ...

beer, bottled by the Huyghe brewery. This beer is exported worldwide and was voted "Best beer in the world" in 1998 at the World Beer Championships in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Miss Belgium Miss Belgium is a national beauty pageant in Belgium. The winner of Miss Belgium automatically represents her country at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants if the dates do not overlap. Rules *Belgian nationality *to be never married and ...

2000,

Joke van de Velde A joke is a display of humour in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laughter, laugh and is usually not meant to be interpreted literally. It usually takes the form of a story, often with ...

grew up and went to high school in Melle. The College van de paters Jozefieten, founded in 1837 by canon Constant Van Crombrugghe is known all around the country. Several Belgian and international celebrities went to this school (e.g.

Cédric Van Branteghem Cédric Marie Carlos Thérèse Van Branteghem (born 13 March 1979 in Ghent) is a Belgian sprinter, who specializes in the 400 metres. Achievements Personal bests *100 metres - 10.54 s (2003) *200 metres - 20.60 s (2003) *400 metres ...

(runner), a brother of Princess Mathilde). It was the first school in Belgium where a commercial science and an industrial science course were offered. An Irish student brought along a football in 1863. This was the first football to reach the European continent. The village gained more national fame thanks to the TV show ''

Schalkse Ruiters ''Schalkse Ruiters'', translated as "Roguish Horsemen", was a Flemish humoristic TV talk and game show, broadcast on the TV channel Eén between late 1996 and early 1998. The program was a cross between a comedy show, a talk show, a game show and ...

'', which featured host

Bart De Pauw Bart De Pauw (28 May 1968) is a Flemish TV host, comedian, actor and TV and film scriptwriter, known for humorous television series and shows on Belgian public television, like '' Buiten De Zone'', '' Schalkse Ruiters'', ''Het Geslacht De Pauw'' ...

playing a comedy character named ''The Man from Melle'' and who claimed to be from the (then non-existent) ''Koekoekstraat nr. 70 in Melle''. At a certain point the city council decided to name one of their new streets ''Koekoekstraat'' and painted a door with house number 70 on the wall.

References

External links

*
Melle (Dutch Only)
{{Authority control Municipalities of East Flanders Populated places in East Flanders