schoten

Schoten is a municipality in Belgium, located in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish Region. It lies just north of the city of Antwerp and forms part of the Antwerp metropolitan area. The municipality covers a modest area and has a population in the tens of thousands, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, small businesses, and rural outskirts. The landscape includes green spaces, parks and waterways.

Schoten’s history dates to the Middle Ages, when it began as a rural parish. It gradually developed over the centuries and expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries with the arrival of railway connections to Antwerp, which contributed to suburban growth and shaped the town’s development.

Today Schoten is primarily a residential and service-oriented municipality, with local shops, schools and community facilities. The local economy includes small manufacturing and trade, and many residents commute to Antwerp for work. The municipality maintains parks, cultural venues and sports facilities that serve residents and visitors.

Administratively, Schoten is part of the arrondissement of Antwerp and has its own mayor and municipal council elected by residents. It is within the Flemish Community and the Belgian federal state framework.

Transport links include a railway station on the Antwerp rail network, providing connections to Antwerp and other towns, along with regional road routes. Schoten is integrated into the Antwerp urban region while preserving surrounding green and rural areas, reflecting a balance between suburban living and local heritage.