# Boom, Belgium

Boom (/boʊm/ BOHM, Dutch: ) is a Belgian town, located in both the arrondissement and province of Antwerp. In 2021, Boom had a total population of 18,799. The total area is 7.37 km$^2$ (2.85 sq mi). Residents are known as "Boomenaren".
Since 2005, Boom has hosted the annual electronic dance music event Tomorrowland.

## History

Recorded history of this community started in the late 1300s. The population boom in Boom occurred some time during the 19th century. In Boom, people venerate a statue of the lady of Boom.

## Geography

Boom is located between three big cities (Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent), and is situated along the Rupel river.

### Climate

Boom has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb).
Climate data for Boom (1991−2020 normals) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.7 (44.1) | 7.6 (45.7) | 11.2 (52.2) | 15.4 (59.7) | 19.0 (66.2) | 21.8 (71.2) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.7 (74.7) | 20.1 (68.2) | 15.4 (59.7) | 10.4 (50.7) | 7.1 (44.8) | 15.2 (59.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.0 (39.2) | 4.4 (39.9) | 7.1 (44.8) | 10.4 (50.7) | 14.1 (57.4) | 17.0 (62.6) | 19.0 (66.2) | 18.7 (65.7) | 15.5 (59.9) | 11.5 (52.7) | 7.4 (45.3) | 4.5 (40.1) | 11.2 (52.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.3 (34.3) | 1.2 (34.2) | 3.0 (37.4) | 5.4 (41.7) | 9.2 (48.6) | 12.2 (54.0) | 14.2 (57.6) | 13.8 (56.8) | 10.8 (51.4) | 7.6 (45.7) | 4.4 (39.9) | 2.0 (35.6) | 7.1 (44.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 71.2 (2.80) | 61.7 (2.43) | 54.5 (2.15) | 41.8 (1.65) | 58.0 (2.28) | 70.6 (2.78) | 79.7 (3.14) | 84.8 (3.34) | 70.5 (2.78) | 67.8 (2.67) | 78.2 (3.08) | 87.7 (3.45) | 826.6 (32.54) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 12.6 | 11.7 | 10.5 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 10.1 | 11.1 | 12.9 | 13.9 | 133.2 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 62 | 78 | 135 | 189 | 218 | 219 | 224 | 211 | 164 | 117 | 67 | 52 | 1,735 |
| Source: Royal Meteorological Institute ||||||||||||||

## Economy

Because of the presence of clay around Boom, the region is well known for and has many clay pits and brick factories.

### Schools
#### Elementary Schools

* Hoeksteen
* Reuzenboom
* OLVI De kade
* 'T krekeltje
* *BSBO Groenlaar
* Villa Kakelbont

#### High Schools

* PTS
* OLVI Boom
* Atheneum Boom

## Notable people

* Egidius Aerts (1822–1853), flautist and composer
* Glen De Boeck (1971), football player and coach.
* Peter Dens (1690–1775), Catholic theologian.
* Herbert Flack (1913–1995), actor.
* Romelu Lukaku (1993), football player.
* Bobbejaan Schoepen (1925), singer-songwriter, guitarist and art whistler. He was also an actor, fantasist and founder of the Bobbejaanland amusement park in Belgium.
* Kevin Seeldraeyers (1986), cyclist.
* Jean-François van de Velde (1779–1838), 20th bishop of Ghent.
* Roland Van Campenhout (1944), musician.
* Jozef Van Lerius (1823–1876), painter.
* Frans Verschoren (1874–1951), writer.
* Bjorn Vleminckx (1986), football player.
* Charles Augustin Wauters (1808–1869), painter.

## Events

* Tomorrowland: EDM World-famous and largest Dance Music festival in the world, that almost 2 million people have attended since its 2005 launch. Next Tomorrowland is scheduled to be held in July 2025.
* Feria Andaluza: Spanish festival in De Schorre.

## Sports

* K. Rupel Boom F.C.: Football club, currently playing in the Belgian Third Division.
* Kangeroes Boom: Basketball club, currently playing in the second division.
* Braxgata: Hockey club, currently playing in the first division. Hockey club of the year by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) in 2009.
* Fudji Yama Boom-Niel-Schelle: Judo club, founded in 1958
* Cyclo-cross Boom, an annual day of cyclocross races

## Movies

The movie La Kermesse héroïque (Carnival in Flanders) directed by Jacques Feyder in 1935 takes place in the town of Boom.