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Antwerp (-enˈæntwɜrplangEn-us-Antwerp.ogg; , -nlˈɑntˌʋɛrpə(n)Be-nl Antwerpen is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Flanders. Antwerp's total population is 472,071 (as of 1 January 2008), making it the largest municipality in both Flanders and Belgium in terms of its population. Its total area is 204.51 km2 (79 sqmi), giving a population density of 2,308 inhabitants per km2. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1449 km2 (559.5 sqmi) with a total of 1,190,769 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008. The nickname of inhabitants of Antwerp is Sinjoren, after the Spanish word señor, which means 'mister' or 'gent'. It refers to the leading Spanish noblemen who ruled the city during the 17th century. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury of the Dutch Revolt. It is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the estuary Westerschelde. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. |