Asse
Geography
Country	Belgium
Region	Flemish Region
Community	Flemish Community
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Halle-Vilvoorde
Coordinates	50°54′N 04°12′E / 50.9, 4.2Coordinates: 50°54′N 04°12′E / 50.9, 4.2
Area	49.64 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population – Males – Females - Density	29,191 (January 1, 2006) 48.38% 51.62% 588 inhab./km²
Age distribution 0–19 years 20–64 years 65+ years	(01/01/2006) 23.09% 59.22% 17.68%
Foreigners	4.80% (01/07/2005)
Economy
Unemployment rate	6.51% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income	15,351 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor	Koen Van Elsen (CD&V)
Governing parties	CD&V, VLD, SP.A
Other information
Postal codes	1730, 1731
Area codes	052 - 02
Web address	www.asse.be

Asse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191. The total area is 49.64 km² which gives a population density of 588 inhabitants per km².

The Hopduvel (Hopdevil) represents the storm that often hit Asse-Ternat at the end of the month of August. The hop vine crop, which was almost ready for harvest, could be severely damaged if the hop vines were knocked to the ground. it is thought that the ' hopduvel ' was invented by the hop farmers to personify this danger and was institutionalised by the founder of the “Hopduvelfeesten” (Hop Devil Festival), Eugeen Van den Broeck. Every year the Hopduvelfeesten is organised after the hop harvest in order to have a good harvest in the following years. This is symbolically done by burning the effigies of hopduvels that have been assembled by the local farmers and for which a contest is organised to elect the best (ugliest) Hopduvel. This tradition is still continued even though there has been very little hop production in the area since the 1970's

External links

• Official website - Available only in Dutch
• Gazetteer Entry for Asse