Chimay Chimai (Walloon) | |
|---|---|
 Chimay: Grand Place | |
 Flag .svg) Coat of arms | |
 Location of Chimay in Hainaut | |
 Interactive map of Chimay | |
  Chimay Location in Belgium | |
| Coordinates:50°03′N04°19′E / 50.050°N 4.317°E /50.050; 4.317 | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Community | French Community |
| Region | Wallonia |
| Province | Hainaut |
| Arrondissement | Thuin |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Denis Danvoye (cdH) (CLE) |
| • Governing party | Construisons l'Avenir Ensemble (CLE) |
| Area | |
• Total | 198.6 km2 (76.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 9,841 |
| • Density | 49.55/km2 (128.3/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 6460, 6461, 6462, 6463, 6464 |
| NIS code | 56016 |
| Area codes | 060 |
| Website | www.ville-de-chimay.be |
Chimay (French pronunciation:[ʃimɛ]ⓘ,Walloon:Chimai) is a city andmunicipality ofWallonia located in theprovince of Hainaut,Belgium.[2] In 2006, Chimay had a population of 9,774. The area is 197.10 km2 which gives apopulation density of 50 inhabitants per km2. It is the source of theOise River.
In the administrative district ofThuin, the municipality was created with a merger of 14 communes in 1977. TheTrappist monastery ofScourmont Abbey in the town is famous for theChimay Brewery.
The etymology of the name is ultimately, viaVulgar Latin, from theProto-Celtic wordkoimos meaning "pretty, pleasant".
The Walloon names of the place names are in brackets and italics.
| Year | Population | Change | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | 3,383[2] | — | 17.1/km2 |
| 2003 | 9,871 | +6,488 | 50.1/km2 |
| 2006 | 9,774 | −22 or −0.23% | 49.6/km2 |
| 2016 | 9,850 | +76 or +0.78% | 50.0/km2 |
Chimay has traditionally hosted an annualmotor racing event, run on astreet circuit formed from local public roads. From the 1920s to 1960s the event was run for contemporaryGrand Prix andsportscar categories, and included the famousGrand Prix des Frontières. In recent times, while the event has persisted it has been run for historic race series. The track briefly lost its licence in 2006 related to safety fears, but has since had it reinstated.
Chimay Trappist beers andcheeses are produced in the town by the Chimay Brewery, run by the Trappist monks ofScourmont Abbey, and are internationally renowned.
Places adjacent to Chimay | |
|---|---|
| Ath |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Charleroi | ||
| La Louvière | ||
| Mons | ||
| Soignies | ||
| Thuin | ||
| Tournai-Mouscron | ||
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
