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Bernissart

Coordinates: 50°29′N 03°39′E / 50.483°N 3.650°E / 50.483; 3.650
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bernissart
Bernissåt (Picard)
Municipality
Flag of Bernissart
Flag
Coat of arms of Bernissart
Coat of arms
Location of Bernissart
Map
Bernissart is located in Belgium
Bernissart
Bernissart
Location in Belgium
Location of Bernissart in Hainaut
Coordinates: 50°29′N 03°39′E / 50.483°N 3.650°E / 50.483; 3.650
Country Belgium
CommunityFrench Community
RegionWallonia
ProvinceHainaut
ArrondissementAth
Government
 • MayorRoger Vanderstraeten (PS)
 • Governing party/iesPS - Ecolo
Area
 • Total43.81 km2 (16.92 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total11,868
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Postal codes
7320-7322
NIS code
51009
Area codes069
Websitewww.bernissart.be

Bernissart (French pronunciation: [bɛʁnisaʁ]; Picard: Bernissåt) is a municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium.

On January 1, 2006, Bernissart had a total population of 11,458. The total area is 43.42 km2, which gives a population density of 264 inhabitants per km2.

The municipality consists of the following districts: Blaton, Bernissart, Harchies, Pommerœul, and Ville-Pommerœul.

The Iguanodon mine

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In 1878, dozens of Iguanodon skeletons were discovered in a coal mine, at a depth of 322 m (1,056 ft).[2] At the time, their proximity was considered proof that some dinosaurs were herd animals. They were mounted by Louis Dollo and set the standard that was followed for over a century. Nine of the twenty-nine skeletons are currently on display at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, and one at the Bernissart Museum. The two museums even made an error they acknowledge with humour: they displayed the skeletons "standing", suggesting that the dinosaurs were bipedal, which is not the case.[citation needed] Found alongside the Iguanodon skeletons were the remains of plants, fish, and other reptiles,[2] including the crocodyliform Bernissartia.[3] The sediments are considered to belong to the Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation.

References

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  1. ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b Norman, David B. (1985). "To Study a Dinosaur". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: An Original and Compelling Insight into Life in the Dinosaur Kingdom. New York: Crescent Books. pp. 24–33. ISBN 0-517-46890-5.
  3. ^ Palmer, D. ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 100. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
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