# Ambutrix > commune in Ain, France **Wikidata**: [Q10290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10290) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambutrix) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ambutrix ## Summary Ambutrix is a commune located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Belley. It is a small rural municipality positioned in the plain of the Ain River, approximately 20 kilometers from the Swiss border, and forms part of the network of communes that constitute the basic territorial units of French local administration. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Ambutrix is situated in the Ain department of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region - **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Belley - **Country**: France - **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.939166666667° N, Longitude 5.3380555555556° E - **Website**: http://www.ambutrix.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Ambutrix - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ain, France - **Sitelink Count**: 61 - **Population Range**: Between 327 and 768 inhabitants (based on historical census data) - **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (French territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789) - **Departmental Context**: Ain department (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Regional Context**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France near Switzerland ## FAQs **What region and department is Ambutrix located in?** Ambutrix is a commune in the Ain department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. The department is numbered and was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What administrative district does Ambutrix belong to?** Ambutrix is part of the arrondissement of Belley, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Ain department. The arrondissement serves as an intermediate level of local government between the department and the communes. **What are the geographical coordinates of Ambutrix?** Ambutrix is located at latitude 45.939166666667° North and longitude 5.3380555555556° East. This places it in the eastern part of France, relatively close to the Swiss border. **How many people live in Ambutrix?** The population of Ambutrix has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures ranging from 327 to 768 inhabitants according to historical census data. The commune remains a small rural community typical of the Ain department's smaller municipalities. **What type of administrative area is Ambutrix?** Ambutrix is classified as a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial collectivization in France. Communes serve as the fundamental units of French local administration, analogous to municipalities in other countries. The commune as an administrative concept was established in 1789 during the French Revolution. **What is the official website for Ambutrix?** The official municipal website for Ambutrix is http://www.ambutrix.fr, providing information about local services, community events, and administrative matters for residents and visitors. ## Why It Matters Ambutrix represents a fundamental unit of French territorial organization, embodying the historical and administrative structure of local governance in France. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, Ambutrix participates in the decentralized administrative system that characterizes French governance, where municipalities handle local affairs while being integrated into broader departmental and regional frameworks. The commune's location in the Ain department places it within one of France's most economically dynamic regions, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which encompasses major cities like Lyon and Grenoble. While Ambutrix itself is a small rural settlement, it contributes to the demographic and administrative fabric of eastern France, particularly in the rural areas surrounding the Ain River plain. The existence of Ambutrix as a commune demonstrates the continuity of French administrative organization, which has roots dating back to the French Revolution. The commune system allows for localized governance and representation, enabling citizens to participate in local decision-making processes through municipal councils and mayors. For researchers and those studying French territorial organization, Ambutrix serves as an example of how the commune structure operates in a rural context, contrasting with larger urban municipalities while maintaining the same legal status and administrative functions. Its proximity to Switzerland also places it in a region of significant cross-border importance within the broader European context. ## Notable For - **Rural Character**: Ambutrix exemplifies the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration, with population figures reflecting the challenges faced by rural municipalities in maintaining stable populations - **Strategic Location**: Positioned in eastern France near the Swiss border, Ambutrix lies in a region of significant economic and cultural exchange between France and Switzerland - **Historical Administrative Status**: As a commune established under the revolutionary administrative reforms of 1789, Ambutrix represents the continuity of French municipal organization spanning over two centuries - **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Ain, one of France's original departments created in 1790, Ambutrix participates in a system of departmental organization that remains largely unchanged since the French Revolution ## Body ### Geography and Location Ambutrix is geographically positioned in the eastern part of France, specifically in the Ain department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune's coordinates place it at latitude 45.939166666667° North and longitude 5.3380555555556° East. This location situates Ambutrix in the plain of the Ain River, a fertile agricultural area that has historically supported rural settlements in this portion of the department. The commune lies approximately 20 kilometers from the Swiss border, making it part of the French territory adjacent to Switzerland. This proximity has historically influenced local trade, migration patterns, and cultural exchange between the two countries. The broader region features a mix of agricultural land, forests, and small villages characteristic of eastern France's rural landscape. ### Administrative Structure Ambutrix operates as a commune, which is the smallest territorial unit of French administration. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Each commune has its own municipal government, headed by a mayor and assisted by a municipal council, responsible for local affairs including urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and maintenance of public infrastructure. As part of the French administrative hierarchy, Ambutrix is nested within the following structure: - **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - **Department**: Ain (established March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Belley - **Commune**: Ambutrix The arrondissement of Belley serves as an administrative district within the Ain department, coordinating state services and representing intermediate governance between the departmental and communal levels. ### Demographics and Population The population of Ambutrix has demonstrated considerable variation across historical census periods, with recorded figures spanning from 327 to 768 inhabitants. This range reflects the demographic fluctuations common among rural French communes, where population can rise and fall based on economic conditions, employment opportunities, and broader social trends affecting rural areas. The relatively small population places Ambutrix among the numerous small communes that characterize French rural territory. These municipalities often face challenges related to maintaining public services, schools, and other infrastructure when population numbers are modest. However, they also benefit from close-knit community relationships and lower population density typical of rural living. ### Regional Context Ambutrix is situated in the Ain department, one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. The department takes its name from the Ain River, which flows through the region and has historically served as an important geographical and economic feature of the area. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, established following the 2016 territorial reorganization of French regions, encompasses a large area of central and eastern France. This region is economically diverse, featuring major urban centers like Lyon and Grenoble alongside extensive rural territories. The region is known for its agricultural production, industrial activity, and significant tourism sector, particularly in the Alpine portions. The arrondissement of Belley, to which Ambutrix belongs, covers the southeastern portion of the Ain department. This area includes a mix of agricultural plains, forested hills, and communities positioned along transportation routes connecting France to Switzerland and Italy. ### Local Infrastructure and Services As a functioning commune, Ambutrix maintains local infrastructure necessary for daily life and community functioning. The commune's official website, http://www.ambutrix.fr, serves as a digital point of contact for residents and visitors seeking information about municipal services, administrative procedures, community events, and local news. The website presence indicates the commune's integration into modern digital governance, allowing for electronic communication between the municipal administration and citizens. This digital infrastructure supports functions such as publication of municipal council decisions, information about local taxes, and announcements regarding public services. ### Historical Context The commune of Ambutrix exists within a historical framework of French administrative organization that dates back over two centuries. The French commune system, established during the revolutionary period beginning in 1789, created a uniform structure of local administration that replaced the diverse and often overlapping jurisdictions of the Ancien Régime. Ain department was among the first departments created, formed from portions of the former provinces of Bresse, Dombes, and Bugey. This territorial reorganization aimed to create rational administrative divisions based on geography rather than historical provinces, facilitating more efficient governance and taxation. The commune system has proven remarkably durable, surviving through multiple regime changes, from the First French Empire through the various Republics, and adapting to contemporary governance needs while maintaining its fundamental structure. Today, France maintains approximately 35,000 communes, representing one of the highest densities of local administrative units in Europe. ### Relationship to Broader Entities Ambutrix maintains connections to several broader territorial and administrative entities that define its place within French and European governance structures: - **France**: The national territory, a founding member of the European Union and home to approximately 68 million inhabitants - **Ain Department**: The departmental administration provides state services, manages roads, and coordinates social services - **Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region**: The regional council manages economic development, transportation planning, and environmental policy at the regional scale - **Arrondissement of Belley**: The sub-departmental administration coordinates state services and represents governmental authority at the intermediate level These hierarchical relationships create a system of multi-level governance where local, departmental, regional, and national authorities share responsibility for public services and administration, a characteristic feature of French territorial organization. ### Digital Presence Ambutrix maintains an online presence through its official website at http://www.ambutrix.fr. This digital presence reflects the broader trend of French municipalities utilizing internet platforms to communicate with citizens, publish administrative information, and provide online services. The commune's Wikipedia article, indicated by the sitelink count of 61, suggests moderate visibility in online knowledge repositories. This digital footprint contributes to the broader ecosystem of information about French communes available to researchers, tourists, and citizens seeking information about local areas. ## References 1. French National Directory of Representatives 2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 3. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q56853) 4. répertoire géographique des communes 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 8. Populations légales 2016 9. Populations légales 2017 10. Populations légales 2018 11. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 12. Populations légales 2019 13. Populations légales 2020 14. Populations légales 2021 15. Populations de référence 2022 16. Populations de référence 2023 17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 19. GeoNames 20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 21. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z) 22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)