# Azérat

> commune in Haute-Loire, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1060515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1060515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azérat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/az-rat

## Summary

Azérat is a commune located in the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France. Situated at coordinates 45.362222° latitude and 3.3825° longitude, it belongs to the arrondissement of Brioude and was historically part of the canton of Auzon until March 2015. As a French commune, Azérat operates as a territorial subdivision within the French Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic founded on the principles of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité."

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Azérat is situated in the Haute-Loire department (inception: March 4, 1790) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Brioude; previously part of the canton of Auzon until March 2015
- **Country**: France, a unitary semi-presidential republic and founding member of the European Union
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.362222222222°, Longitude 3.3825°
- **Population**: Historical populations recorded as 266, 262, 274, 273, 279, 252, 234, 240, 285, 274, 266, 265, 282, 287, 295, 294, and 294 (various years)
- **Commune Status**: Established as a commune of France since 1789, following the French Revolution
- **Wikipedia Title**: Azérat
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haute-Loire, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Azérat?**

Azérat is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. Communes have existed since 1789 following the French Revolution and serve as the fundamental unit of local administration in the French Republic.

**Which department and region is Azérat located in?**

Azérat is located in the Haute-Loire department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. It is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France.

**What was Azérat's administrative affiliation before 2015?**

Prior to March 2015, Azérat was part of the canton of Auzon. Administrative reorganizations in France led to the restructuring of cantons, affecting this historical administrative relationship.

**What is the geographical position of Azérat?**

Azérat is positioned at coordinates 45.362222222222° latitude and 3.3825° longitude, placing it in the mountainous region of Haute-Loire, which is known for its volcanic landscape and the Loire River source.

**What is the broader context of Azérat within the French administrative system?**

As a French commune, Azérat falls under the administrative structure of the French Republic, a unitary state organized into departments, arrondissements, and regions. France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

## Why It Matters

Azérat represents the foundational unit of local governance in France, embodying the country's decentralized administrative structure. While small in population, communes like Azérat form the backbone of French civic organization, providing essential local services and maintaining community identity. The commune system, established during the Revolution in 1789, reflects France's commitment to democratic local governance, where citizens participate in municipal life through elected officials and local councils.

The presence of Azérat in the Haute-Loire department highlights its position in a region characterized by rural landscapes, volcanic formations, and agricultural traditions. Understanding Azérat provides insight into how France manages its extensive network of over 35,000 communes, each contributing to the nation's social fabric while maintaining local autonomy within the centralized state framework.

## Notable For

- Historical continuity as a French commune since 1789
- Location in the volcanic region of Haute-Loire
- Part of the administrative reorganization affecting French cantons in 2015
- Connection to the arrondissement of Brioude, which serves as an intermediate administrative level

## Body

### Geography and Location

Azérat is situated in the Haute-Loire department, a region in south-central France known for its mountainous terrain and volcanic origins. The commune's coordinates of 45.362222222222° latitude and 3.3825° longitude place it in the eastern part of the department, within the Massif Central region. Haute-Loire is named after the Loire River, which has its source in the region, making it geographically significant in France's hydrological landscape.

### Administrative History

Azérat's administrative status as a commune dates back to 1789, when the French Revolution abolished the previous feudal administrative divisions and established communes as the new fundamental units of local government. This transformation marked a significant shift in French administrative organization, replacing the monarchy's provinces with a more uniform structure of departments, districts, and communes.

Until March 2015, Azérat was part of the canton of Auzon, an administrative division that served as the constituency for elections to the General Council of Haute-Loire. The 2015 administrative reorganization restructured cantonal boundaries across France, leading to changes in local electoral geography.

### Administrative Structure

Azérat operates within the following hierarchical administrative structure:

- **Country**: France (French Republic)
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Department**: Haute-Loire (established March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Brioude
- **Commune**: Azérat (established 1789)

The arrondissement of Brioude serves as an intermediate administrative level between the department and the commune, coordinating regional services and administrative functions across multiple municipalities in the southern part of Haute-Loire.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Azérat are limited in the source material, the historical population data indicates fluctuations between 234 and 295 residents across various recorded years. These population numbers (266, 262, 274, 273, 279, 252, 234, 240, 285, 274, 266, 265, 282, 287, 295, 294, 294) suggest a small rural commune typical of the mountainous regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

### Relationship to French National Context

As part of France, Azérat benefits from and contributes to the broader French political and social system. France operates as a unitary state with a semi-presidential republic system, featuring a President as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government. The country's official motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) reflects the revolutionary ideals that also established the commune system.

France's status as a founding member of the European Union, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power, and a nuclear-armed state provides the national context within which Azérat and other French communes operate. The country's membership in NATO, the G7, and the G20 further establishes the international framework affecting local governance.

### Local Governance

French communes are governed by a municipal council (conseil municipal), which elects a mayor (maire) to execute local decisions. Communes possess administrative autonomy in matters such as urban planning, local taxation, and public services. The commune system allows for significant local participation in governance while maintaining alignment with national policies and regulations.

### Cultural and Regional Context

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where Azérat is located, is known for its diverse geography, including volcanic landscapes, river valleys, and mountain ranges. Haute-Loire specifically is characterized by its rural character, agricultural activities, and traditional French provincial culture. The region attracts visitors interested in nature, hiking, and experiencing authentic French rural life outside major urban centers.

### Connection to Wikidata and Digital Knowledge Graph

Azérat is catalogued in Wikidata with the description "commune in Haute-Loire, France" and maintains a Wikipedia article with a sitelink count of 41, indicating moderate digital presence and accessibility of information about the commune. This digital documentation contributes to the global knowledge graph of French municipalities, facilitating research, tourism, and administrative transparency.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/K---0080)
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. [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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)