Charleroi been nicknamed the "Pays Noir" ("Black Country"), part of the larger "sillon industriel". Even though most of the factories have closed since the 1950s, the landscape remains dotted with spoil tips and old industrial buildings. Charleroi lies around south of Brussels. The municipality comprises: and the following former municipalities, merged into Charleroi in 1977: Neighboring municipalities: Similar to the rest of Belgium Charleroi has an oceanic climate as a result of the Gulf Stream influence warming winters, while also moderating summer warmth in spite of its inland position. The Charleroi area was already settled in the prehistoric period, with traces
Royal Oaks Country Club community developers planned to establish 900 single family and estate houses; of the houses 43 were to be estate houses. As of 2000 the prices were to be set between $300,000 and over $3 million. The community offered 26 house designs. The elevations range up to . The Royal Oaks community occupies of land. The country club portion occupies of land. The golf course takes of land. Access to and from the community is controlled by a video-monitored gatehouse, which is manned 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A masonry wall surrounds the community. it was one of