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 2016)
• Total	11,943
• Density	280/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.

In 1878, dozens of Iguanodon skeletons were discovered in a coal mine, 322 m (1,050 ft) below the ground. 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 bidepal, which is not the case.

One of the Bernissart Iguanodons on display at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.