Bernissart

Bernissart
Municipality

Flag
Coat of arms
Bernissart
Location in Belgium
Location of Bernissart in Hainaut
Coordinates: 50°29′N 03°39′E / 50.483°N 3.650°E / 50.483; 3.650Coordinates: 50°29′N 03°39′E / 50.483°N 3.650°E / 50.483; 3.650
Country Belgium
Community French Community
Region Wallonia
Province Hainaut
Arrondissement Ath
Government
 • Mayor Roger Vanderstraeten
 • Governing party/ies PS
Area
 • Total 43.42 km2 (16.76 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2017)[1]
 • Total 11,922
 • Density 270/km2 (710/sq mi)
Postal codes 7320-7322
Area codes 069
Website www.bernissart.be

Bernissart is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. 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 includes the village of Blaton, formerly an independent municipality.

The Iguanodon mine

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 . Found alongside the Iguanodon skeletons were the remains of plants, fish, and other reptiles,[2] including the crocodyliform Bernissartia.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Population per municipality as of 1 January 2017 (XLS; 397 KB)
  2. 1 2 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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