Pays Noir

The Pays Noir (French, 'black country') refers to a region of Belgium, centered on Charleroi in the province of Hainaut in Wallonia so named for the geological presence of coal. In the 19th century the region rapidly industrialised first with coal mines, then with related industries such as steel manufacture and glass production.

Not to be confused with the Black Country in the Midlands of England.

Description

The region, centred on Charleroi,[1] also known as the Pays de Charleroi includes the communes of Aiseau-Presles, Charleroi, Châtelet, Courcelles, Farciennes, Fleurus, Fontaine-l'Évêque, Gerpinnes, Les Bons Villers and Pont-à-Celles.[2]

In the west, the Pays Noir borders the Centre-region around the town of La Louvière. Geologically, the region - as well as the other coal bearing areas in Belgium - lies on the northern edge of the Rhenish Massif.[3]

See also

Literature
  • Suzanne Pasleau (2003). "Caractéristiques des bassins industriels dans l'Eurégio Meuse-Rhin". Fédéralisme Régionalisme (in French). 3.

References
  1. Leanne Logan; Geert Cole (2004). Belgium & Luxembourg. Lonely Planet. Charleroi, pp.231-232.
  2. Maison du tourisme du Pays de Charleroi
  3. Caractéristiques des bassins industriels dans l'Eurégio Meuse-Rhin, section 2.

50.431°N 4.433°E / 50.431; 4.433

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