Zele
Zele is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders, around 20 kilometers east of Ghent. The municipality only comprises the town of Zele proper. In 2023, Zele had a total population of 21,374. The total area is 33km2 which gives a population density of 641.6 people per km2.
Toponym
The name of the municipality is derived from the Old Dutch or Old Saxon word "seli", which means " building" or "settlement". Examples in the region with that toponym are Brussels, Herzele and Belsele.Notable inhabitants
- Hans Christiaens, footballer
- Aloïs de Beule, sculptor
- Pierre de Decker, former Prime Minister of Belgium
- Andreas De Leenheer, academic and biologist
- Basile De Loose, painter
- Filip De Wilde, professional football player
- Michel D'Hooghe, racing cyclist
- Dirk Heirweg, racing cyclist
- Christophe Impens, Belgian record holder 1500 m run, semi-finalist at Atlanta Olympics
- Caroline Maes, professional tennis player
- Lieven Maesschalck, physiotherapist
- Joseph Julian Oste, priest, missionary, and Bishop
- Désiré Piryns, painter
- William Tackaert, racing cyclist
- Vanessa Van Cartier, drag queen
- Miranda Van Eetvelde, politician
- Sven Verdonck, darts player
- Frederik De Waele, gymnast