Wortel, Belgium

Wortel is a village in the Belgian municipality of Hoogstraten. As of 2021, it has 1,844 inhabitants.^[1]

Wortel
Village
St John the Baptist Church
Wortel Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°23′52″N 4°47′45″E / 51.3978°N 4.7958°E / 51.3978; 4.7958
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Antwerp
Municipality	Hoogstraten
Area [1]
• Total	13.54 km2 (5.23 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	1,844
• Density	140/km2 (350/sq mi)
Time zone	CET

The toponym means carrot or root in Dutch. Wortel was established in the early 19th century by the Society of Benevolence as a farming colony for the able-bodied working poor. It was meant to provide employment during a time when poverty rates were very high in the Low Countries.^[2] Along with the other colonies constructed by the Society of Benevolence, Wortel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021 as an excellent example of a unique method of housing reform and urban planning.^[2]