# Annay

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q852805](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q852805)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annay,_Pas-de-Calais)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/annay

## Summary
Annay is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, serving as a territorial subdivision for municipalities within the country's administrative structure. It is situated in the arrondissement of Lens and the canton of Lens-Nord-Est, reflecting France's decentralized unitary state system. With a population that has grown steadily to around 4,571 residents, Annay represents a typical small community in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, recognized for its historical military contributions.

## Key Facts
- Annay is a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France, classified as a territorial subdivision for municipalities under the commune of France system, which originated in 1789.
- Located in the arrondissement of Lens, a northern French administrative division in the Pas-de-Calais department within the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, established on January 12, 1962.
- Part of the canton of Lens-Nord-Est, an administrative canton in France.
- Situated in Pas-de-Calais, a French department created on March 4, 1790.
- Country: France, a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, originating from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 (establishing West Francia), earlier Francia in 481, and the First French Empire on May 18, 1804.
- Official website: http://www.annaysouslens.fr.
- Population figures: 4,228 (earliest recorded), 4,261, 4,322, 4,337, 4,377 (recorded twice), 4,477, 4,517, 4,544, 4,571 (most recent).
- Coordinates: 50.463611111111° N latitude, 2.8822222222222° E longitude.
- Sitelink count: 49.
- Wikipedia title: Annay, Pas-de-Calais.
- Wikidata description: commune in Pas-de-Calais, France.
- Award: Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915.
- Related to commune of France, a territorial subdivision system for municipalities in France since 1789.
- France key details: Official name République française; capital Paris; population 68,605,616 (2025 estimate); area 643,801 square kilometers; government semi-presidential unitary republic; head of state Emmanuel Macron; head of government Sébastien Lecornu; legislature bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate); official language French; currency Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité"; anthem "La Marseillaise"; flag tricolore (blue, white, red); borders Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland, plus Brazil, Suriname via French Guiana, and Netherlands via Sint Maarten; highest point Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters); lowest point Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters); coordinates 47°N 2°E; time zones UTC+01:00 (CET), UTC+02:00 (CEST), and others for territories; driving side right; electricity 230 volts, 50 Hz, Europlug and Type E; calling code +33; internet TLD .fr; ISO codes FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), 250 (Numeric); GDP $2.78 trillion USD (2022); budget €455.2 billion (2023); VAT rates 20% standard, 10% reduced, 5.5% reduced, 2.1% medication; life expectancy 82 years (2022); HDI 0.903 (2021, Very High); retirement age 62 standard, 67 full; marriageable age 18; age of majority 18; compulsory education ages 6-16; emergency numbers 112 general, 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire; UN member since October 24, 1945 (permanent Security Council); EU founding member March 25, 1957; NATO member April 4, 1949; nuclear weapons since 1960; IOC code FRA; vehicle registration F.
- Pas-de-Calais sitelink count: 104.
- Canton of Lens-Nord-Est sitelink count: 15.
- Arrondissement of Lens sitelink count: 31.
- Croix de guerre 1914–1918 sitelink count: 17.
- Commune of France sitelink count: 83.
- France sitelink count: 409.

## FAQs
**Where is Annay located and what is its administrative structure?**  
Annay is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, specifically within the arrondissement of Lens, which was created on January 12, 1962, and the canton of Lens-Nord-Est. This placement integrates it into France's unitary semi-presidential republic, where Pas-de-Calais itself was established as a department on March 4, 1790, contributing to the country's decentralized administration across 18 regions.

**What is the population trend in Annay?**  
The population of Annay has shown consistent growth, starting from 4,228 residents in the earliest recorded figure, increasing through 4,261, 4,322, 4,337, 4,377 (noted in two periods), 4,477, 4,517, 4,544, and reaching 4,571 in the latest data. This reflects steady demographic expansion in a small commune setting, aligned with broader French trends of urbanization and a national population of 68,605,616 as of 2025 estimates.

**What historical recognition has Annay received?**  
Annay was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, to honor units and localities for valor during World War I. This accolade underscores its role in the conflict within the Pas-de-Calais region, tying into France's military history as a NATO member since 1949 and a nuclear-armed state since 1960.

**How does Annay fit into France's broader territorial system?**  
As a commune under the French system originating in 1789, Annay functions as a municipal subdivision in a country that spans metropolitan Europe and overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica. It operates within France's framework of 643,801 square kilometers total area, using the Euro currency, French language, and standards like right-side driving and 230-volt electricity.

**What online resources are available for Annay?**  
The official website for Annay is http://www.annaysouslens.fr, providing local information for this commune in Pas-de-Calais. It supports connectivity in a nation with internet TLD .fr, ISO code FR, and a calling code of +33, facilitating access amid France's high HDI of 0.903 and global digital infrastructure.

## Why It Matters
Annay exemplifies the foundational building blocks of France's administrative landscape, as a commune that operationalizes the country's unitary yet decentralized governance, ensuring local autonomy within a semi-presidential republic that influences global diplomacy through its UN Security Council permanence and EU leadership. Its steady population growth from 4,228 to 4,571 residents highlights demographic resilience in northern France's industrial heartland, contributing to national trends of urbanization and a life expectancy of 82 years, while fostering community-level implementation of policies like compulsory education from ages 6 to 16 and a retirement age of 62. The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 award elevates Annay's historical significance, commemorating wartime sacrifices that shaped France's path to NATO membership in 1949 and nuclear status in 1960, reminding us of how small locales underpin a nation's military and cultural legacy. In a broader sense, Annay's position in Pas-de-Calais, bordering Belgium and integrated into the arrondissement of Lens since 1962, supports regional economic vitality within France's $2.78 trillion GDP economy, promoting cross-border ties that enhance the European Union's cohesion and France's role in international trade via the World Trade Organization. By maintaining ties to France's mottos of liberty, equality, and fraternity, Annay sustains cultural heritage in a country with 409 Wikipedia sitelinks, driving tourism and local identity that ripple into global perceptions of French resilience and innovation.

## Notable For
- Receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, distinguishing it as a honored locale for World War I contributions among French communes.
- Steady population increase to 4,571, showcasing demographic stability in the Pas-de-Calais department compared to national averages.
- Precise geographic coordinates at 50.463611111111° N, 2.8822222222222° E, placing it centrally in northern France's arrondissement of Lens.
- Official website http://www.annaysouslens.fr, providing dedicated digital presence for a small commune with 49 sitelinks.
- Integration into the canton of Lens-Nord-Est, a specialized administrative unit with 15 sitelinks, highlighting its role in regional subdivision.
- Location within Pas-de-Calais, a department with 104 sitelinks, tying it to France's post-1790 revolutionary administrative reforms.
- Alignment with the commune of France system since 1789, featuring 83 sitelinks, as a model of enduring municipal governance.
- Proximity to France's broader network, including 18 administrative regions and overseas territories, granting indirect access to the world's second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Annay occupies coordinates of 50.463611111111° N latitude and 2.8822222222222° E longitude, positioning it in northern France's Pas-de-Calais department. This placement aligns with metropolitan France's Western European core, which spans 643,801 square kilometers and borders Belgium to the north, integrating Annay into a landscape shaped by the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean influences. As part of the arrondissement of Lens, established on January 12, 1962, Annay benefits from the region's Nord-Pas-de-Calais historical industrial character, while its canton affiliation with Lens-Nord-Est ensures localized coordination.

### Administrative Structure
Annay functions as a commune, a territorial subdivision for municipalities under France's system dating to 1789, operating within the unitary semi-presidential republic's decentralized framework of 18 regions. It falls under Pas-de-Calais, a department formed on March 4, 1790, which itself is part of France's Fifth Republic constitution from October 4, 1958. The arrondissement of Lens provides intermediate administration in northern France's Pas-de-Calais, while the canton of Lens-Nord-Est handles finer electoral and service divisions, all overseen by France's bicameral Parliament comprising the National Assembly and Senate.

### Demographics and Population
Annay's population has evolved through recorded figures of 4,228, then 4,261, 4,322, 4,337, 4,377 (appearing in two consecutive records), 4,477, 4,517, 4,544, and finally 4,571, indicating gradual growth in line with France's national estimate of 68,605,616 for 2025. This demographic pattern mirrors broader French urbanization, where 55.4 million reside in urban areas versus 12.5 million rural, with Annay's residents subject to the age of majority at 18, marriageable age of 18, and compulsory education from ages 6 to 16. Life expectancy aligns with the national 82 years, supported by emergency services via numbers 112, 15, 17, and 18.

### Historical Recognition and Awards
Annay holds the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize bravery in World War I, marking its distinction among French communes for wartime involvement. This ties into France's military legacy, including NATO entry on April 4, 1949, and nuclear weapons development since 1960, with the award's 17 sitelinks underscoring its documented valor. The commune's history intersects with France's origins, from Francia in 481, West Francia via the 843 Treaty of Verdun, to the First French Empire on May 18, 1804, and regime shifts like Vichy France in World War II.

### Economy and Infrastructure
As a small commune, Annay integrates into France's mixed economy with a 2022 nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD and 2023 budget of €455.2 billion, using the Euro currency and VAT rates of 20% standard, 10% and 5.5% reduced, plus 2.1% for medication. Public debt at 117.4% of GDP in Q3 2025 affects local funding, while infrastructure follows national standards: right-side driving with speed limits of 130 km/h on highways (110 km/h in bad weather), 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas; electricity at 230 volts, 50 Hz with Europlug and Type E; time zone UTC+01:00 (CET) shifting to UTC+02:00 (CEST). The median income around $30,364 USD and retirement at 62 years (full at 67) shape local livelihoods, with the Bank of France as central authority.

### Cultural and Symbolic Ties
Annay embodies France's cultural ethos through the national motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," anthem "La Marseillaise," and tricolore flag, with public holidays like Bastille Day on July 14 and Armistice Day on November 11 observed locally. Official language French prevails, alongside regional recognitions, in a society with HDI 0.903 (Very High) and birth rate 10.6 per 1,000. The commune's website http://www.annaysouslens.fr facilitates cultural access, supported by France's .fr TLD, +33 calling code, and ISO codes FR, FRA, 250.

### International and Regional Context
Annay's position in Pas-de-Calais links it to France's global stance as a UN permanent Security Council member since October 24, 1945, EU founder from March 25, 1957, G7/G20 participant, and Schengen Area affiliate. Borders via Pas-de-Calais touch Belgium, enhancing ties in the Council of Europe and World Trade Organization. Overseas territories extend France's reach to Americas (French Guiana, etc.), Africa (Mayotte, Réunion), Oceania (New Caledonia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land), with time zones from UTC-10:00 to UTC+12:00, while Annay adheres to metropolitan CET/CEST. Vehicle registration F and IOC code FRA apply nationally, with 49 sitelinks for Annay reflecting its Wikipedia title "Annay, Pas-de-Calais."

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
24. museum-digital