Overijse is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the town of Overijse, and the communities of Eizer, Maleizen, Jezus-Eik, Tombeek and Terlanen. On January 1 2006 Overijse had a total population of 24,067. The total area is 44.43 km² which gives a population density of 542 inhabitants per km².
Overijse is surrounded by an extensive woodlands (Zoniënwoud/Forêt de Soignes), with walk- and bicycle paths.
Overijse draws its name from the nearby river, the Ijse.
The community is home to a huge numbers of expatriates, and it is considered as a very attractive area to live in.
The official language is Dutch (as everywhere in Flanders). Local minorities consist of nationals from many European Union-countries, the USA and Canada, and of French-speaking residents that migrated mainly from Wallonia or Brussels.
Near Overijse there is a medium wave transmitter for the Belgian foreign radio service. Overijse has a traditional festival every year, held in August (Druivenfeesten). The festival commemorates the industry that shaped the area, namely cultivation of grapes (Dutch druiven). In 2006 it will be held in from August 19-27.
Overijse was also the birthplace of the celebrated 16th century humanist Justus Lipsius.
More recently, in 1952, Albert Lootvoet, a local brewer started brewing the now world-famous Leffe beer according to its original recipe. The Leffe beers have been brewed in Overijse from 1952 until 1977, when the Artois breweries bought out the local brewer.
Some old pictures of the town.
Image:OldPicture_Center_Overijse.jpg|The town center.
Image:OldPicture_Heuvelstraat_Overijse.jpg|De Heuvelstraat
(Name of a street)
Image:OldPicture_Stationstraat_Overijse.jpg|De Stationstraat
(Name of a street)
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