# Andelain > commune in Aisne, France **Wikidata**: [Q844190](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q844190) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andelain) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andelain ## Summary Andelain is a commune located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is situated in the arrondissement of Laon and was part of the canton of La Fère until March 2015. As a French commune, Andelain represents one of the fundamental territorial subdivisions of France, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Andelain is located in the Aisne department of France, in the Hauts-de-France region - **Administrative division**: Arrondissement of Laon - **Historical canton**: La Fère (until March 2015) - **Country**: France - **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.6425, Longitude 3.3702777777778 - **Department inception**: Aisne was established on March 4, 1790 - **Commune system inception**: The commune system in France dates to 1789 - **Website**: http://sites.google.com/site/mairieandelain/ - **Wikipedia title**: Andelain - **Wikidata description**: commune in Aisne, France - **Sitelink count**: 47 - **Population figures recorded**: 208, 225, 240, 228, 222, 168, 157, 160, 163, 159, 172, 187, 216, 215, 212, 211, 212 ## FAQs **What region and department is Andelain located in?** Andelain is located in the Aisne department, which is situated in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Laon. **What was Andelain's administrative affiliation before 2015?** Prior to March 2015, Andelain was part of the canton of La Fère. Administrative reorganizations in France restructured cantonal boundaries in 2015. **What type of territorial entity is Andelain?** Andelain is a commune, which is the lowest-level administrative division in France. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789 and serves as the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities throughout the country. **What are the geographical coordinates of Andelain?** Andelain is located at latitude 49.6425 and longitude 3.3702777777778, placing it in the northern part of France within the Aisne department. **Does Andelain have any online presence?** Yes, Andelain maintains a municipal website at http://sites.google.com/site/mairieandelain/. ## Why It Matters Andelain, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French local administration. The commune system in France is unique in that it encompasses approximately 35,000 municipalities ranging from small villages like Andelain to major cities like Paris and Marseille. This decentralized administrative structure allows for local governance and ensures that even small communities have a formal political representation and administrative framework. The commune of Andelain exists within the historical and administrative context of the Aisne department, which was created in 1790 during the French Revolution—a period that fundamentally reshaped France's administrative divisions. The department system replaced the old provinces with more rational, uniform administrative units designed to promote equality and central control. As part of the arrondissement of Laon, Andelain contributes to the administrative organization of the Aisne department, which itself is part of the larger Hauts-de-France region. This hierarchical structure—from region to department to arrondissement to commune—demonstrates France's organized approach to local governance. The recorded population figures for Andelain indicate a small but stable community, typical of rural communes in the northern French agricultural regions. Such communes are essential to maintaining the demographic and cultural fabric of rural France, preserving local traditions while participating in the broader national identity. ## Notable For - **Historical administrative continuity**: Andelain exists within a commune system that has been in place since 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous local administrative organization - **Departmental heritage**: Located in Aisne, a department created during the foundational period of the French Revolution in 1790 - **Regional significance**: Part of the Hauts-de-France region, which is strategically important as France's northernmost region bordering Belgium - **Local governance representation**: As a commune, Andelain has its own municipal administration, representing the most local level of democratic governance in France ## Body ### Geography and Location Andelain is situated in the northern French department of Aisne, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region. The commune's precise geographical coordinates are latitude 49.6425 and longitude 3.3702777777778. This location places Andelain in the historical and cultural region of Picardy, which has its own distinct traditions, architecture, and dialect of French. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Laon, one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating local services and representing the intermediate level of government between the department and the commune. Laon serves as the prefecture (administrative capital) of the Aisne department, and Andelain falls under its jurisdictional authority. ### Administrative History The administrative framework in which Andelain operates has deep historical roots. The department of Aisne was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. This period saw the abolition of the old provincial system of governance, which had been based on historical provinces dating back to medieval times, and its replacement with a more rational, uniform administrative structure designed to promote equality among citizens and facilitate central government control. The commune system, also established during the Revolution in 1789, created the fundamental units of local administration throughout France. Each commune, regardless of size, received legal recognition and the ability to govern local affairs through elected municipal councils. This system has remained largely intact for over two centuries, though the specific boundaries and organizational structures have evolved over time. Prior to March 2015, Andelain was part of the canton of La Fère. Cantons serve as electoral districts for various local and regional elections, including the election of members to the General Council (now Departmental Council) of each department. The 2015 cantonal reorganization in France resulted in the restructuring of many cantonal boundaries, and La Fère ceased to exist as a canton in its previous form. ### Population and Demographics The population figures recorded for Andelain show the following values across what appears to be a series of consecutive years: 208, 225, 240, 228, 222, 168, 157, 160, 163, 159, 172, 187, 216, 215, 212, 211, and 212. These figures indicate a small rural commune typical of the agricultural regions of northern France. The population fluctuations visible in these numbers reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural France, including urbanization pressures that have led many young people to relocate to larger cities for education and employment opportunities. However, the relatively stable figures in the later entries suggest that Andelain has maintained a consistent population base, likely supported by agricultural activities and its position within the regional administrative structure. ### Local Administration and Services As a commune, Andelain is governed by a municipal council elected by local residents. The municipal government handles various local affairs, including urban planning, local infrastructure maintenance, civil registration (births, marriages, and deaths), and the administration of local taxes and budgets. The commune maintains an online presence through its website at http://sites.google.com/site/mairieandelain/, which serves as a communication channel between the municipal government and residents. This digital presence reflects the modernization of local administration in France, where even small communes have embraced online tools to improve citizen engagement and administrative efficiency. ### Regional Context Andelain exists within the broader context of the Aisne department, which covers an area of approximately 7,369 square kilometers in northern France. The department is characterized by its agricultural plains, historical battlefields (notably from World War I), and a mix of small towns and rural communities. The Hauts-de-France region, which encompasses Aisne along with the departments of Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, and Oise, is France's northernmost region and shares a border with Belgium. The region has historically been important for agriculture, industry, and commerce due to its strategic position between Paris and the Low Countries. The arrondissement of Laon, to which Andelain belongs, encompasses a significant portion of the department's territory and serves as an important administrative and service center for the surrounding communities. Laon itself is a historic city known for its medieval architecture and its position atop a hill overlooking the surrounding plain. ### Historical Context The territory on which Andelain sits has been part of France since the formation of the French state. The area has witnessed numerous historical events, particularly given its position along potential invasion routes between France and neighboring territories. The Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, recognizes service and bravery during World War I. This award is particularly significant for the Aisne department, which saw intense fighting during the war, including the First Battle of the Aisne in 1914 and subsequent battles that left lasting scars on the landscape and communities of the region. ### Relationship to National Structure Andelain exists within France's hierarchical administrative system, which operates at multiple levels. At the national level, France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a constitution established in 1958 founding the Fifth Republic. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, 101 departments, 329 arrondissements, and approximately 35,000 communes. This structure represents a balance between central government authority and local autonomy. While the national government sets overall policy and maintains control over matters of national importance, communes like Andelain possess significant powers over local affairs, allowing for tailored governance that responds to the specific needs and characteristics of each community. The commune of France classification identifies Andelain as part of this extensive network of municipal divisions that together form the administrative backbone of the French Republic. This system ensures that every piece of French territory, no matter how small, has an organized governmental structure capable of representing and serving its residents. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. répertoire géographique des communes 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Annuaire de service-public.fr 6. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 7. Populations légales 2016 8. Populations légales 2017 9. Populations légales 2018 10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 11. Populations légales 2019 12. Populations légales 2020 13. Populations légales 2021 14. Populations de référence 2022 15. Populations de référence 2023 16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 18. GeoNames 19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 20. [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) 21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)