# Arguel

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q30949](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30949)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arguel,_Somme)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arguel

## Summary
Arguel is a commune located in the Somme department of France, within the arrondissement of Amiens and formerly part of the canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg until March 2015. It is a small territorial subdivision with a population fluctuating around 30 residents and is situated at coordinates 49.8667°N, 1.8017°E.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France (municipality-level administrative division).
- **Location**: Somme department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Coordinates**: 49.8667°N, 1.8017°E.
- **Population**: Recorded as 28, 29, 30, 31, or 32 residents across different years.
- **Administrative History**:
  - Part of the canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg until March 2015.
  - Located in the arrondissement of Amiens.
- **Department**: Somme (created on March 4, 1790).
- **Country**: France (inception dates include 481 AD as Francia, 843 AD as West Francia via the Treaty of Verdun, and 1804 as the First French Empire).
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 43 references across languages.
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Arguel, Somme".

## FAQs
**Where is Arguel located?**
Arguel is a commune in the Somme department of northern France, within the arrondissement of Amiens. It lies at approximately 49.8667°N latitude and 1.8017°E longitude.

**What is the population of Arguel?**
The population of Arguel has varied slightly over time, with recorded figures including 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 residents. It remains one of France’s smaller communes by population.

**What administrative divisions is Arguel part of?**
Arguel is located in the Somme department, which was established on March 4, 1790. Until March 2015, it belonged to the canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg. It is currently part of the arrondissement of Amiens.

**How does Arguel fit into France’s administrative structure?**
As a commune, Arguel is the smallest administrative division in France, equivalent to a municipality. It operates under the broader governance of the Somme department and the Hauts-de-France region.

## Why It Matters
Arguel represents the granular administrative structure of France, where even the smallest communes play a role in local governance and regional identity. As part of the Somme department, it contributes to the historical and cultural fabric of northern France, an area known for its role in World War I and its rural landscapes. While small in population, communes like Arguel are essential for maintaining local services, heritage, and community cohesion in France’s decentralized administrative system.

## Notable For
- **Small Population**: One of France’s least populous communes, with fewer than 35 residents.
- **Historical Administrative Changes**: Previously part of the canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg until its dissolution in 2015.
- **Geographic Precision**: Located at a specific coordinate (49.8667°N, 1.8017°E), reflecting France’s detailed territorial organization.
- **Departmental Heritage**: Part of the Somme, a department with significant historical importance, particularly in 20th-century conflicts.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Arguel is situated in the Somme department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Its precise coordinates are 49.8667°N latitude and 1.8017°E longitude. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Amiens, one of the four arrondissements in the Somme department.

### Administrative Structure
Arguel is classified as a *commune*, the lowest level of administrative division in France, equivalent to a municipality. Historically, it was part of the canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg, a territorial subdivision that existed until March 2015. The canton system was reformed in France that year, leading to the redistribution of many communes into new or merged cantons.

The Somme department, where Arguel is located, was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of France’s territorial divisions. The department is known for its agricultural landscapes and its historical significance, particularly during World War I, when it was the site of major battles such as the Battle of the Somme.

### Population and Demographics
Arguel has a very small population, with recorded figures ranging between 28 and 32 residents across different years. This places it among the least populous communes in France. Small communes like Arguel are often characterized by rural settings, close-knit communities, and limited local infrastructure.

### Historical Context
The administrative history of Arguel reflects broader changes in France’s territorial organization. The canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg, to which Arguel once belonged, was dissolved in 2015 as part of a nationwide reform aimed at reducing the number of cantons and improving administrative efficiency. This reform was part of the *Loi n° 2013-403* (2013), which sought to modernize France’s local governance structures.

The Somme department itself has a rich history, particularly in the context of World War I. The area was heavily contested during the war, and the Battle of the Somme (1916) remains one of the most significant and deadly battles in military history. While Arguel is not directly associated with these events, its location within the department ties it to this broader historical narrative.

### Role in Local Governance
As a commune, Arguel has its own local government, typically consisting of a mayor (*maire*) and a municipal council (*conseil municipal*). These local bodies are responsible for managing communal affairs, such as land use, local infrastructure, and public services. Despite its small size, Arguel’s administration plays a role in maintaining the local community and preserving its rural character.

### Connections to Larger Administrative Units
Arguel is part of several layers of French administration:
- **Arrondissement of Amiens**: One of the four arrondissements in the Somme department, centered around the city of Amiens.
- **Somme Department**: A key administrative division in northern France, known for its agricultural and historical significance.
- **Hauts-de-France Region**: A larger regional entity that includes the Somme department, formed in 2016 from the merger of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
While Arguel itself may not be widely recognized, its existence is part of France’s broader system of local governance, which ensures that even the smallest communities have a voice in regional and national affairs. The commune system is a cornerstone of French administrative tradition, dating back to the French Revolution, and it continues to shape local identity and governance.

### Related Entities
- **Canton of Hornoy-le-Bourg**: A former administrative division that included Arguel until its dissolution in 2015.
- **Arrondissement of Amiens**: The broader administrative district within which Arguel is located.
- **Somme Department**: The department in which Arguel is situated, created in 1790 and known for its historical and agricultural importance.

### Wikidata and Digital Presence
Arguel is documented in Wikidata with 43 sitelinks, indicating its presence in multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The Wikipedia title for Arguel is "Arguel, Somme," reflecting its location within the Somme department. This digital presence ensures that information about the commune is accessible for research and reference purposes.

## 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 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)