r AALST, a town of Belgium, in the province of East Flanders, and chief town of the arrondissement of the same name. It is situated on the Dender, about half way between Brussels and Ghent; and vessels of small size come up to the town. It is clean and well built; has a college and other educational establishments; and carries on a considerable trade in corn, hops, beer, and the produce of its linen, cotton, and lace manufactories. By the census of October 1846, it had 3010 houses, and 17,226 inhabitants.

The arrondissement of the same name is divided into 11 Alos Arslans, 81 communes, and, by the same census, had a population of 138,251. Lat. 50. 57. N. Long. 4. E.