Handzame

Handzame is a village in the western Belgian province of West Flanders, located in the Flemish Region. It is a deelgemeente of the municipality of Kortemark, a status it has held since the late 20th-century municipal reorganisations. The village lies in a rural part of the region and is surrounded by agricultural land, meadows, and small hedgerows, reflecting the flat, farm-centered landscape typical of West Flanders.

Historically, Handzame developed as a small rural community centered on agriculture and parish life. In contemporary administration it is part of Kortemark, with local services and facilities that cater to residents of the village and nearby hamlets.

The local economy is predominantly agricultural, supplemented by small-scale services and shops that serve the daily needs of residents. Many people travel to nearby towns for employment, education, and more extensive commercial facilities. Handzame maintains a modest set of amenities, including a church and a few local businesses, and is connected to surrounding towns by regional roads and bus services.

Culturally, Handzame participates in the rural and community life common to West Flanders, with local associations and activities that reflect the village’s social fabric. The community preserves a rural identity tied to its history and countryside setting, while integrating with the larger municipal framework of Kortemark.