GHENT, gent, Belgium (French, Gand; Flemish, Gend or Gent), capital of the province of East Flanders, at the confluence of the Lys with the Scheldt. It is upward of eight miles in circumference, and is divided by canals into a number of islands connected with each other by bridges, of which there are about 200. Ex cept in some of the older parts, it is well built, and has a number of fine promenades and many notable buildings. Among the latter are the cathedral of Saint Bavon, the crypt of which dates from the 10th century; the church of Saint Nicholas, the oldest in Ghent; the church of Saint Michael, with a celebrated Crucifixion by Van Dyck; the university (q.v.), a hand some modern structure, with a library of about 350,000 volumes and 700 manuscripts; the bel fry, a lofty square tower surmounted by a gilded dragon, and containing chimes of 44 bells; the Marche du Vendredi, an extensive square, interesting as the scene of many- im portant historical events; the town hall; Palais de Justice; Institute des Sciences; and Les Beguinages, extensive nunneries founded in the 13th century, the principal occupation of whose members is lace-making. Ghent has long been celebrated as a manufacturing town, especially for its cotton and linen goods and lace. Other industries of importance are sugar-refining, hosiery, thread, ribbons, instruments in steel, carriages, paper, hats, delftware and tobacco.
There are also machine works, engine factories, roperies, tanneries, breweries and distilleries. The trade is very important. A canal connects it with the Scheldt at Terneuzen. Another canal connects the Lys with the canal from Bruges to Ostend. Ghent was mentioned as a town in the 7th century. In the 9th century Baldwin, the first Count of Flanders, built a fortress here against the Normans. Under the counts of Flanders, Ghent continued to increase. Two great revolts took place under the leader ship of the Van Arteveldes (1338 and 1369) against Burgundy, and again in the 16th cen tury against Charles V, and the citizens of Ghent, besides losing their privileges, had to pay for the erection of a citadel intended to keep them in bondage. In 1792 the Netherlands fell under the power of France, and Ghent be came the capital of the department of Escaut (Scheldt). In 1814 it became, along with Flan ders, part of the Netherlands, till the separa tion of Belgium and Holland. Ghent fell into German occupation after the fall of Antwerp in 1914. Pop. 167,477.