# Astet

> commune in Ardèche, France

**Wikidata**: [Q244191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q244191)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astet)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astet

## Summary
Astet is a commune located in the Ardèche department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It is part of the arrondissement of Largentière and functions as a territorial subdivision of the French Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789).
- **Location**: Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
- **Arrondissement**: Largentière.
- **Coordinates**: 44.6975, 4.0255555555556.
- **Website**: http://www.astet.fr/
- **Population Data Points**: 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 139, 109, 73, 67, 51, 44, 40, 44, 48, 53, 57, 59.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **Country**: France (Inception events: Treaty of Verdun in 843 establishing West Francia; First French Empire in 1804).
- **National Capital**: Paris.
- **National Population**: 68,605,616 (2025 estimate).
- **National Area**: 643,801 square kilometres.
- **Government Type**: Semi-presidential system, unitary state, republic.
- **Head of State**: Emmanuel Macron.
- **Head of Government**: Sébastien Lecornu.
- **Official Language**: French.
- **Currency**: Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; CFP Franc in overseas territories.
- **National Motto**: "Liberté, égalité, fraternité".
- **National Anthem**: "La Marseillaise".
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00 (CET), UTC+02:00 (CEST).
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Electricity**: 230 volts, 50 Hz; plugs: Europlug, Type E.
- **Calling Code**: +33.
- **Internet TLD**: .fr.
- **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), classified as "Very High".
- **Retirement Age**: 62 years (standard), 67 years (full rate).
- **Compulsory Education**: Ages 6 to 16.
- **UN Membership**: Permanent member of the Security Council (since October 24, 1945).
- **EU Membership**: Founding member (since March 25, 1957).
- **NATO Membership**: Since April 4, 1949.
- **Nuclear Weapons**: State possesses nuclear weapons (since 1960).
- **Department Inception**: Ardèche established March 4, 1790.

## FAQs
**Where is Astet located?**
Astet is a commune situated in the Ardèche department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It falls within the arrondissement of Largentière and has specific coordinates of 44.6975 latitude and 4.0255555555556 longitude.

**What administrative structure does Astet belong to?**
Astet is classified as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities that was established in 1789. It is administered under the broader French unitary semi-presidential republic, with executive power shared between the President and the Prime Minister.

**What are the key economic and technical standards applicable to Astet?**
As part of France, Astet uses the Euro (EUR) as its currency and follows the national standard VAT rate of 20%. The region operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00), drives on the right-hand side of the road, and utilizes an electrical grid of 230 volts at 50 Hz with Europlug and Type E plugs.

**What is the population history of Astet?**
Recorded population figures for Astet include a series of data points: 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 139, 109, 73, 67, 51, 44, 40, 44, 48, 53, 57, and 59. This data is part of the demographic monitoring within the Ardèche department.

**What international organizations is Astet associated with through France?**
Through its status as a French commune, Astet is represented by France in international organizations including the United Nations (where France is a permanent Security Council member), the European Union (founding member), and NATO (member since 1949).

## Why It Matters
Astet matters as a constituent administrative unit of the French Republic, contributing to the national structure and local governance of the Ardèche department. As a commune, it serves as a fundamental building block of the French state's decentralized administration, linking local residents to the broader political and economic systems of France. The commune exists within the framework of a nation that holds significant global influence as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a nuclear-armed state.

Economically, Astet participates in the French economy, which is a central hub of the European Union and the world's largest trading bloc. The region benefits from France's high standard of living, extensive infrastructure, and robust social services, including a public healthcare system and a comprehensive education system. The local area is also subject to France's strategic military importance and its role in international peacekeeping and diplomatic negotiations.

Culturally, Astet is part of a nation renowned for its contributions to art, philosophy, and gastronomy. The commune upholds the national values of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" and is situated in a country known for its rich historical heritage and commitment to cultural diplomacy. France's vast network of overseas territories and its status as a top global tourist destination provide a wider context of connectivity and cultural exchange that extends to even the smallest communes.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Classification**: Defined as a "commune of France," the basic level of administrative division in the French Republic.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely located at 44.6975°N, 4.0255555555556°E.
- **Demographic Data**: Possesses a specific historical record of population figures ranging from 36 to 139.
- **Departmental Heritage**: Part of the Ardèche department, which was established on March 4, 1790.
- **National Affiliation**: Situated in France, a country with the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world due to its overseas territories.
- **Global Representation**: Residents are citizens of a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
- **Cultural Symbols**: Falls under the French Tricolore (blue, white, red) flag and the national motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité."
- **Infrastructure Standards**: Adheres to French infrastructure norms, including driving on the right and using the Euro currency.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Astet is a commune situated within the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It is specifically located in the arrondissement of Largentière. The geographic coordinates for the commune are 44.6975 degrees latitude and 4.0255555555556 degrees longitude.

The broader region of Metropolitan France, where Astet is located, encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. The country is bordered by the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point in France is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters. The geographic center of the country is approximately at coordinates 47°N 2°E.

Beyond Europe, France possesses numerous overseas territories, placing it on four other continents. In the Americas, territories include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. In Africa, it includes Mayotte, Réunion, and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. In Oceania, it includes French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna. It also claims Adélie Land in Antarctica.

### Government and Politics
Astet operates as a commune, which is a territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This type of administrative division has existed since 1789. The commune is part of the Ardèche department, which was established on March 4, 1790, and the arrondissement of Largentière.

France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution was established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. The executive branch consists of the President of the Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister, currently Sébastien Lecornu. The President is elected directly and serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is appointed by the President and serves as the head of government.

The legislative branch is bicameral, composed of the French Parliament, which includes the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The judiciary is headed by the Court of Cassation for civil and criminal matters, the Council of State for administrative cases, and the Constitutional Council for constitutional review. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, including 12 in metropolitan France and 6 overseas.

### Demographics and Society
Astet has a recorded history of population figures, with data points including: 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 139, 109, 73, 67, 51, 44, 40, 44, 48, 53, 57, and 59.

As part of France, the commune falls under the national demographic context. As of January 1, 2025, France has an estimated population of 68,605,616. The society is highly urbanized, with an urban population of approximately 55.4 million in 2022 compared to a rural population of 12.5 million. The life expectancy at birth is 82 years (2022). The birth rate is 10.6 per 1,000 people, and the death rate is 9.8 per 1,000 people (2022).

The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are also recognized. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders. Compulsory education is required for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The retirement age is set at 62 years, with a full rate available at 67 years.

### Economy and Finance
Astet is integrated into the French economy, which has a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD as of 2022. The government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%, and a specific rate of 2.1% for medication. The median income is approximately $30,364 USD.

The currency used in Astet is the Euro (€), which replaced the French franc in 1999. In overseas territories like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, the CFP Franc is used. The central bank is the Bank of France. Public debt stood at 117.4% of GDP as of the third quarter of 2025.

### Infrastructure and Standards
Astet operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). Overseas territories of France observe various time zones, ranging from UTC-10:00 (French Polynesia) to UTC+12:00 (Wallis and Futuna).

The commune follows the French standard of driving on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits in the area are generally set at 130 km/h on controlled-access 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. The electrical grid supplies 230 volts at 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs.

The international calling code for the region is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr. The country also utilizes specific TLDs for regions, such as .bzh for Brittany and .corsica for Corsica. The ISO codes for the country are FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), and 250 (Numeric).

### Symbols and Culture
As a French commune, Astet subscribes to the national symbols of France. The national flag is the tricolore, featuring three vertical bands of blue, white, and red. The official motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity). The national anthem is "La Marseillaise." The coat of arms of the French Republic is used de facto, and the Great Seal of France is used for official state documents.

Public holidays observed in Astet include New Year's Day (January 1), Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25).

### International Relations and History
Astet is part of France, a key player in international organizations. France is a founding member of the European Union (1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (1945). It is also a member of NATO (1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960.

Historically, the origins of the French state trace back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804. France replaced the Kingdom of France and has undergone several regime changes, including the Vichy France regime during World War II, before establishing the Fifth Republic.

The administrative history of Astet is tied to the creation of the commune system in 1789 and the establishment of the Ardèche department in 1790. The country maintains diplomatic relations with nations worldwide, including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany. It shares land borders with eight European countries and Brazil and Suriname via French Guiana, as well as a maritime border with the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

## 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)