# Argeliers > commune in Aude, France **Wikidata**: [Q192294](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192294) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argeliers) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/argeliers ## Summary Argeliers is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, situated in the arrondissement of Narbonne within the canton of Ginestas. The municipality lies near the historic Canal du Midi and sits at coordinates 43.311666666667°N latitude and 2.9102777777778°E longitude. As part of the commune system of France—a territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789—Argeliers represents one of the thousands of local administrative units that form the foundation of French local governance. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Aude department, South West France - **Administrative division**: Arrondissement of Narbonne, canton of Ginestas - **Coordinates**: 43.311666666667°N, 2.9102777777778°E - **Country**: France - **Status**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision since 1789) - **Nearby waterway**: Canal du Midi (historic canal in Southern France) - **Population history**: Historical census figures include 2,028; 2,091; 2,141; 2,139; 2,165; 1,133; 1,118; 1,218; 1,233; 1,237; 1,519; 1,934; 2,189; 2,155; 2,142; 2,128; 2,124 - **Wikipedia presence**: 43 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects - **Wikipedia title**: Argeliers - ** Wikidata description**: commune in Aude, France ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Argeliers?** Argeliers is a commune, which is the smallest territorial collective body in France and serves as the fundamental unit of local administration. Communes function similarly to municipalities in other countries and are the lowest level of territorial organization in the French administrative system. **Which department and region is Argeliers located in?** Argeliers is situated in the Aude department, which is located in the South West France region. The department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What is the administrative structure surrounding Argeliers?** Argeliers belongs to the arrondissement of Narbonne and the canton of Ginestas. France is administratively organized into regions, departments, arrondissements, cantons, and communes, with each level serving different administrative and electoral purposes. **What notable landmarks or features are near Argeliers?** Argeliers is located near the Canal du Midi, a historic canal in Southern France that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal stretches across the region and represents an important feat of 17th-century engineering. **What is the geographic position of Argeliers?** The commune sits at approximately 43.31°N latitude and 2.91°E longitude, placing it in the southern portion of France within the Mediterranean climate zone of the Languedoc region. ## Why It Matters Argeliers, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French local governance and exemplifies the country's extensive network of municipalities that date back to the revolutionary period of 1789. The commune system is central to France's administrative structure, with over 35,000 communes serving as the primary level of local government responsible for local services, urban planning, and community organization. The presence of Argeliers near the Canal du Midi connects it to a significant piece of European cultural heritage. The Canal du Midi, completed in the 17th century, revolutionized transportation in southern France and remains an important navigational route and tourist attraction today. Communes like Argeliers that are situated along this historic waterway benefit from both the tourism economy and the preservation of France's engineering heritage. As part of the Aude department in the South West France region, Argeliers participates in the broader administrative and economic dynamics of one of France's distinctive regions. The department's position between the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees mountains gives it a diverse landscape that supports agriculture, tourism, and viticulture—all sectors that contribute to the local economy of communes like Argeliers. ## Notable For - **Administrative heritage**: Part of France's commune system established during the French Revolution in 1789 - **Canal du Midi proximity**: Located near one of the world's most famous 17th-century canals, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - **Departmental significance**: Situated in Aude, a department with origins dating to March 4, 1790 - **Canton integration**: Part of the canton of Ginestas, which organizes local electoral representation ## Body ### Geographic and Administrative Context Argeliers is classified as a commune—the fundamental territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The French commune system originated during the French Revolution with the law of December 14, 1789, which established communes as the basic unit of administrative organization throughout the nation. Today, France comprises approximately 35,000 communes, each serving as a local government entity with its own mayor and municipal council. The commune is located in the Aude department, one of the original departments created during the French Revolution. Aude was established on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of France into administrative departments. The department takes its name from the Aude River that flows through the region. Located in South West France, Aude encompasses diverse terrain ranging from the Mediterranean coastline to mountainous areas near the Pyrenees. ### Administrative Hierarchy Argeliers operates within a multi-layered administrative structure: - **Commune level**: Argeliers itself, the smallest administrative unit - **Canton level**: Canton of Ginestas, which provides electoral organization and some administrative functions - **Arrondissement level**: Arrondissement of Narbonne, an administrative division within the department - **Department level**: Aude department - **Regional level**: South West France (Occitanie region) The arrondissement of Narbonne serves as an administrative grouping within the Aude department, while the canton of Ginestas organizes local electoral districts and certain administrative responsibilities. ### Location and Coordinates The precise geographic position of Argeliers is at latitude 43.311666666667°N and longitude 2.9102777777778°E. This places the commune in the southern portion of France, within the Languedoc region known for its Mediterranean climate, vineyards, and historical heritage. The coordinates situate the commune in a region characterized by rolling hills, agricultural land, and proximity to the Canal du Midi. ### Historical Infrastructure: Canal du Midi One of the most significant features associated with Argeliers is its proximity to the Canal du Midi. This historic canal, constructed between 1666 and 1681 under the direction of Pierre-Paul Riquet, connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea via a 240-kilometer waterway. The Canal du Midi is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 17th century. The canal passes through the Aude department and the region surrounding Argeliers, providing a historic transportation route that predates modern infrastructure. Today, the Canal du Midi serves primarily recreational and tourism purposes, with houseboats and pleasure vessels traversing its waters. Communes like Argeliers benefit from this heritage through tourism, recreational activities, and the preservation of historical infrastructure. ### Population and Demographics While specific population figures for Argeliers are limited in the source material, the data indicates historical population counts across multiple census periods. The population figures recorded include: 2,028; 2,091; 2,141; 2,139; 2,165; 1,133; 1,118; 1,218; 1,233; 1,237; 1,519; 1,934; 2,189; 2,155; 2,142; 2,128; and 2,124. These figures suggest fluctuations in population over time, likely reflecting broader demographic trends in rural French communes, including urbanization patterns and economic shifts in agricultural regions. The variation between figures above 2,000 and figures around 1,100-1,200 indicates significant population changes across different census periods, possibly reflecting economic conditions, employment opportunities, and lifestyle changes in the region. ### Digital Presence and References Argeliers maintains a presence across Wikimedia projects, with 43 sitelinks recorded. The Wikipedia article titled "Argeliers" provides English-language coverage of the commune, while the Wikidata entry includes the description "commune in Aude, France." This digital presence facilitates access to information about the commune for international audiences and researchers. ### Relationship to French Administrative System As a commune of France, Argeliers participates in the country's distinctive system of local government. French communes function as corporations under public law, possessing legal personality and financial autonomy. Each commune is governed by a mayor and municipal council, which are elected through local elections. Communes are responsible for various local services, including: - Civil registry (births, marriages, deaths) - Local urban planning and zoning - Municipal roads and infrastructure - Local taxation - Community services and facilities The commune system represents France's commitment to decentralized administration, allowing local populations to participate in governance while remaining part of a unified national administrative framework. This system has remained largely stable since its revolutionary origins, though modern reforms have enhanced inter-communal cooperation and regional coordination. ### Departmental Context: Aude Argeliers is situated in the Aude department, which encompasses diverse landscapes including coastal areas near the Mediterranean Sea, the Corbières mountain range, and fertile river valleys. The department's capital, Carcassonne, is famous for its medieval fortress and is a major tourist destination. Agriculture plays a significant role in the Aude economy, with vineyards, olive groves, and fruit production contributing to the region's prosperity. The department's history dates to the early days of the French Revolution, when it was formed from portions of the former province of Languedoc. Today, Aude is part of the larger Occitanie region, which encompasses southern France from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees mountains. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 3. INSEE code 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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 20. GeoNames 21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 22. [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) 23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)