East Flanders

Province of Belgium, part of the Dutch-speaking Flemish community and region, bounded by Antwerp to the east, Flemish Brabant to the southeast, and West Flanders to the southwest; area 2,970 sq km/1,147 sq mi; population (1997 est) 1,354,700. The area was formerly part of the medieval principality of Flanders, which also comprised West Flanders, the French département of Nord, and the Dutch province of Zeeland. Its capital is Ghent, and other major towns include Sint-Niklaas, Aalst, Eekloo, Dendermonde, and Oudenaarde.

Physical The area lies in the Schelde river basin, comprising coastal lowlands and polderlands (reclaimed flatlands).

Economy The main industries are textiles, light engineering, and distribution industries; agricultural products include sugar beet, flax, hops, and flowers (especially in the Waes district).