title: Merelbeke
text: # Merelbeke
  
  Merelbeke (Dutch pronunciation:) is a municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. The municipality comprises the villages of Bottelare, Lemberge [nl], Melsen, Merelbeke proper, Munte [nl] and Schelderode [nl]. In 2021, Merelbeke had a total population of 24,779. The total area is 36.65 km².
  
  