MOLENBEEK-SAINT-JEAN

(French), Flemish Sint-Jans-Molenbeek commune, Brabant province, central Belgium. A residential and industrial suburb west of Brussels, it is one of the communes that make up Greater Brussels. It originated as a distinct village on a slope overlooking a brook (molenbeek, mill stream). Molenbeek Ridge was the site from which Louis XIV's forces bombarded Brussels in 1695. Today Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is a highly urbanized inner suburb of Brussels, with a high population density; many foreigners reside in the town. The Charleroi ship canal passes through it and forms part of its boundary with Brussels proper. Its manufactures include leather, clothing, chemicals, rubber goods, tobacco, and wood and metal products. Pop. (1991) mun., 68,759.