provincesHainaut

Hainaut, officially the Province of Hainaut, is a province of Wallonia, the French-speaking southern region of Belgium. It sits in the western part of the country and includes several historic towns. The capital is Mons, and the largest city is Charleroi.

The province covers about 3,800 square kilometers and is traversed by the Sambre and Scheldt (Escaut) rivers. It includes parts of the historic Sillon industriel, the coal- and steel-producing belt that shaped the 19th- and 20th-century economy. It shares a border with France to the south and west and with other Belgian Walloon provinces.

The name derives from the medieval County of Hainaut. It became a Belgian province in the 1830s after independence and, during the industrial era, was a major coal mining and industrial hub. Following industrial restructuring in the late 20th century, it diversified toward services, logistics, and light manufacturing.

The province is home to around 1.5 million people. It includes major urban centers such as Charleroi, Mons, Tournai, La Louvière, and Ath, with a dense network of smaller towns.

The decline of coal mining and heavy industry gave way to services, logistics, and specialized manufacturing. The region hosts universities and research centers, notably around Mons. Cultural landmarks include the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Belfry of Tournai (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Pairi Daiza zoo near Brugelette.

French is the predominant language; local culture is part of the broader Walloon heritage.

The province is served by rail and road links to Brussels, Lille, and other major hubs. Brussels South Charleroi Airport serves the region.