ThePays Noir (French for 'black country') refers to a region of Belgium, centered on the city ofCharleroi in the province ofHainaut inWallonia 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.
The region, centred on Charleroi,[1] also known as thePays de Charleroi includes the communes ofAiseau-Presles,Charleroi,Châtelet,Courcelles,Farciennes,Fleurus,Fontaine-l'Évêque,Gerpinnes,Les Bons Villers andPont-à-Celles.[2]
In the west, thePays Noir borders theCentre-region around the town ofLa Louvière. Geologically, the region - as well as the other coal bearing areas in Belgium - lies on the northern edge of theRhenish Massif.[3]
