Arrondissement of Turnhout
The arrondissement of Turnhout is one of three administrative arrondissements in the Belgian province of Antwerp. It covers an area of 1356.86 km ² with 442,508 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2012) in 27 municipalities.
It is also the administrative and judicial district.
Communities in the arrondissement of Turnhout
- Herselt
- Hoogstraten
- Hulshout
- Turnhout
- Laakdal
- Lille
- Meerhout
- Merksplas
- Mole
History
The area of the arrondissement of Turnhout belonged to the end of the 18th century the Duchy of Brabant, which was part of the Austrian Netherlands. In 1790, the United Belgian States originated from this temporarily. During the First Coalition War the area was occupied in 1794 and united because of measures taken by the French National Convention on October 1, 1795 decision by the French Republic. The administration and the judicial system has been adapted to the still new French system and set up departments, arrondissements and cantons refer to the relevant communities. The arrondissement of Turnhout (French Arrondissement de Turnhout ) belonged from 1795 to 1814 for the department of Deux- Nèthes and was divided into cantons or justice of the peace districts Arendonk ( Arendonck ), Herentals ( Herenthals ), Hoogstraten ( Hoogstraeten ), Mol ( minor), Turnhout and Westerlo ( Westerloo ).