# Authon

> commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q662602](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q662602)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authon,_Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/authon-q662602-2

## Summary

Authon is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the southeastern France region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It is situated in the arrondissement of Forcalquier and represents one of the numerous municipalities that constitute the French territorial organization as a commune of France. The settlement lies at coordinates 44.238333333333° latitude and 6.1263888888889° longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Forcalquier
- **Wikipedia Title**: Authon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
- **Coordinates**: 44.238333333333° N, 6.1263888888889° E
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **Population**: Historical census data includes figures of 49, 53, 57, 62, 63, 22, 23, 21, 38, 33, 39, 48, 63, 63, 61, 59, and 57 (various years)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region does Authon belong to?**

Authon is a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France, analogous to a municipality. It is part of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department and the arrondissement of Forcalquier.

**Where is Authon geographically located?**

Authon is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Its precise coordinates are 44.238333333333° north latitude and 6.1263888888889° east longitude.

**What is the historical context of Authon's administrative status?**

As a commune of France, Authon traces its institutional origins to the French Revolution, specifically to the year 1789 when the commune system was established. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department itself was created on March 4, 1790.

## Why It Matters

Authon represents the foundational unit of French territorial organization. As a commune, it serves as the primary level of local government and administration in France, where citizens exercise their municipal rights and local governance occurs. The commune system, established during the French Revolution, replaced the earlier feudal divisions and established the principle of administrative equality across all municipalities, regardless of size. Understanding Authon requires recognizing its place within this centuries-old system of local governance that defines how France is administratively organized into over 35,000 communes.

The commune also matters as part of the historical and cultural fabric of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, an area known for its mountainous terrain, Provençal culture, and strategic position in southeastern France. The region's identity is deeply connected to its communes, each contributing to the overall demographic, economic, and cultural landscape of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
- Located in the arrondissement of Forcalquier, one of the administrative divisions of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
- Represents the French commune system, a defining feature of France's administrative organization since 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Authon is situated in the southeastern part of France, within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 44.238333333333° north latitude and 6.1263888888889° east longitude. This positioning places it within the mountainous terrain characteristic of the Prealps and Alpine regions of Provence. The location situates Authon within the broader geographic context of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, one of France's 18 administrative regions.

### Administrative Structure

Authon operates as a commune, which is the French term for a municipality and the smallest administrative division in France. The commune system was institutionalized during the French Revolution in 1789, establishing a uniform territorial structure across the entire French territory. Authon is part of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of France's administrative divisions.

At the departmental level, Authon falls under the arrondissement of Forcalquier, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune. The arrondissement of Forcalquier encompasses numerous communes within Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and serves administrative functions including electoral districts and governmental coordination.

### Departmental Context

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is one of France's departments located in the southeastern part of the country. The department is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and is characterized by its mountainous terrain, which includes portions of the French Prealps and Alps. The department's capital is Digne-les-Bains. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is notable for its rural character, historical heritage, and natural landscapes, including protected areas and nature reserves.

The department has a sitelink count of 101, indicating its presence and representation across Wikimedia projects. Within this departmental structure, Authon contributes to the overall administrative and demographic composition of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

### Historical Population Data

The population data for Authon shows variation across different census years, with recorded figures including 49, 53, 57, 62, 63, 22, 23, 21, 38, 33, 39, 48, 63, 63, 61, 59, and 57. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes, particularly in mountainous regions where population can decline due to urbanization trends while occasionally experiencing periods of stabilization or modest growth. The population figures demonstrate the commune's historical presence and its evolution over time as part of France's demographic landscape.

### Institutional Recognition

Authon has a sitelink count of 44, indicating its representation across Wikimedia projects including Wikipedia. The commune has a dedicated Wikipedia article titled "Authon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence," which serves as a primary source of information about the municipality. The Wikidata entry describes Authon simply as a "commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France," establishing its categorical identity within the broader structure of French communes.

### Relationship to National Structure

As a French commune, Authon is directly connected to the national structure of France, which is characterized by a unitary state system with multiple levels of administrative division. France is organized into 18 administrative regions, 101 departments, 329 arrondissements, 2,054 cantons, and over 35,000 communes. This hierarchical structure ensures administrative coverage of the entire national territory, from the largest cities to the smallest rural municipalities.

The commune of France as an institutional form represents a fundamental aspect of French governance, providing local services, maintaining civil records, administering local taxes, and serving as the primary point of contact between citizens and government. Each commune, including Authon, has its own municipal council, mayor, and administrative apparatus, though the scope of functions varies based on population and resources.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. répertoire géographique des communes
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Annuaire de service-public.fr
5. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
6. Populations légales 2016
7. Populations légales 2017
8. Populations légales 2018
9. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
10. Populations légales 2019
11. Populations légales 2020
12. Populations légales 2021
13. Populations de référence 2022
14. Populations de référence 2023
15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
17. GeoNames
18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
19. [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)
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)