title: Zonhoven
text: # Zonhoven
  
  Zonhoven (Dutch pronunciation:; Limburgish: Zoneve) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. On January 1, 2018, Zonhoven had a total population of 21,214. The total area is 39.34 $km^2$ which gives a population density of 506 inhabitants per $km^2.$
  
  The municipality includes the hamlets Halveweg, Termolen, and Terdonk.
  
  ## History
  
  On November 18, 1833, the Treaty of Zonhoven was signed in the house named De Franse Kroon between representatives of the Netherlands and Belgium to establish special regulations over the use of the river Meuse by the signatories.
  
  ## Notable persons born/raised in Zonhoven
  
  * Lieve Baeten [nl] (1954-2001), author and illustrator of children's books
  * Bieke Broux [nl] (1985), Multiple Sclerosis researcher/scientist
  * Anke Buckinx [nl] (b. Maasmechelen, 1980), VJ and radio personality
  * Koen Buyse [nl] (1977), frontman of Zornik
  * Rik Ceulemans [nl] (b. Hasselt, 1972), athlete
  * Patrick Claesen [nl] (b. Hasselt, 1965) aka Pat Krimson, ex-Leopold 3, frontman of 2 Fabiola, DJ and producer
  * Bert Dries (Musketon) (1989), Award Winning Graphic Designer
  * Luc Indestege, (1901-1974) writer
  * Kikx [nl], former boyband
  * Ingrid Lieten (b. Hasselt 1964), Flemish minister
  * Luc Nilis (1967), former soccer player
  * Roel Paulissen (b. Hasselt 1976), mountain biking
  * Marleen Renders (b. Diest 1968), marathon runner
  * Charlotte Timmers [nl] (1988), actress
  * Chris Thys [nl] (1954), actress, sister of Leah Thys
  * Leah Thys [nl] (1945), actress, sister of Chris Thys
  * Pierre Vanbrabant (2007), musician
  * Jos Vandeloo (1925-2015), writer
  * Marilou Vanden Poel-Welkenhuysen [nl] (1941), former MOP, former mayor of Zonhoven
  * Margot Vanderstraeten [nl] (b. Hasselt, 1967), writer
  * Tim Vanhamel (1977), frontman of Millionaire and ex-Evil Superstars
  * Francesca Vanthielen (b. Eeklo, 1972), actress, host
  * Wout Wijsmans (b. Hasselt, 1977), volleyball player
  
  ## Products of Zonhoven
  
  * Zonderik [nl] Belgian beer
  
  ## Sports
  
  Superprestige round #2 Zonhoven is a cyclo-cross race held every autumn.
  
  ## Gallery
  
  * House of the forester
  * 18th century chapel in Zonhoven
  * Leah Thys [nl]
  