# Azannes-et-Soumazannes

> commune in Meuse, France

**Wikidata**: [Q227629](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q227629)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azannes-et-Soumazannes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/azannes-et-soumazannes

## Summary

Azannes-et-Soumazannes is a commune located in the Meuse department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It sits at coordinates 49.291388888889°N latitude and 5.4672222222222°E longitude, and is part of the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Damvillers. As a French commune, it represents one of France's fundamental territorial subdivisions for municipalities, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Meuse, France
- **Administrative Region**: Grand Est (northeastern France)
- **Department**: Meuse (French department established March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Verdun
- **Canton**: Damvillers
- **Coordinates**: 49.291388888889°N, 5.4672222222222°E
- **Country**: France
- **Commune System Inception**: 1789 (established during the French Revolution)
- **Population**: Historical figures include 163, 167, 171, 165, 163, 221, 180, 177, 165, 169, 174, 158, 162, 161, 161, 160, and 168 residents
- **Sitelink Count**: 42
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration awarded April 2, 1915)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Azannes-et-Soumazannes?**

Azannes-et-Soumazannes is a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France. Communes are analogous to municipalities or townships and serve as the fundamental unit of local government in France. This system was formalized during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing earlier administrative structures.

**Where is Azannes-et-Soumazannes located geographically?**

The commune is situated in northeastern France in the Meuse department, which is part of the Grand Est region. It falls within the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Damvillers. Geographically, it is positioned at approximately 49.29°N latitude and 5.47°E longitude, placing it in a rural area near the Belgian border.

**What is the historical significance of Azannes-et-Soumazannes?**

The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing valour or useful service during World War I. This indicates that the area experienced significant military activity or suffered damage during the Great War, consistent with its location in the Meuse region, which saw intense fighting during the Battle of Verdun.

**What is the relationship between Azannes-et-Soumazannes and other French administrative divisions?**

Azannes-et-Soumazannes is part of a hierarchical administrative structure: France (the nation) contains the Grand Est region, which contains the Meuse department, which contains the arrondissement of Verdun, which contains the canton of Damvillers, which finally contains the commune of Azannes-et-Soumazannes. The Meuse department was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution.

## Why It Matters

Azannes-et-Soumazannes, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French local government and embodies the administrative organization that has governed France since the Revolution of 1789. Its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 places it within the historical narrative of World War I, specifically the devastating Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and bloodiest battles in military history. The Meuse department was heavily contested during this period, and the award of military honors to the commune signifies its participation in and suffering from this conflict.

The commune's location in the canton of Damvillers and arrondissement of Verdun connects it to a region of significant historical importance. Verdun itself became a symbol of French resistance and the brutal nature of trench warfare. For those studying French administrative geography, local history, or the legacy of the First World War on French territory, Azannes-et-Soumazannes serves as an example of the small communities that comprised the broader landscape of French military sacrifice and civilian experience during the war.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for military significance during the First World War
- **Historical Administrative Status**: Part of the commune system established during the French Revolution in 1789
- **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Meuse, one of France's original departments created on March 4, 1790
- **Verdun Connection**: Part of the arrondissement of Verdun, site of one of history's most significant battles

## Body

### Geography and Location

Azannes-et-Soumazannes is positioned at coordinates 49.291388888889°N latitude and 5.4672222222222°E longitude, placing it in the northeastern French department of Meuse. The commune lies within the Grand Est region, formerly part of Lorraine, and is situated in a rural area near the border with Belgium. The terrain in this portion of the Meuse department is characterized by rolling hills and forests, typical of the Argonne region that played a significant role in both World Wars.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Azannes-et-Soumazannes operates as the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune system traces its origins to the French Revolution, specifically the year 1789, when the revolutionary government abolished the previous feudal and provincial divisions in favour of a uniform system of municipalities. This makes the commune one of the oldest continuously operating administrative units in modern France.

The commune is nested within a hierarchical structure: it belongs to the canton of Damvillers, which is part of the arrondissement of Verdun, within the department of Meuse. The Meuse department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments, a process led by the National Constituent Assembly to create a more rational and uniform administrative system. The department was named after the Meuse River, which flows through the region.

### Historical Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Azannes-et-Soumazannes represents the commune's significance during the First World War. This military decoration was established by the French government on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of valour, useful service, or suffering during the conflict. The decoration could be awarded to individuals, military units, or municipalities.

Given the commune's location in the Meuse department near Verdun, it is highly probable that the area experienced direct military activity or suffered damage during the Battle of Verdun (February 21 – December 18, 1916), one of the longest and most destructive battles in military history. The battle resulted in approximately 700,000 casualties and became a symbol of the attritional nature of trench warfare. Many communes in the region received the Croix de guerre in recognition of their suffering and contributions during this period.

### Demographics and Population

While specific population figures for Azannes-et-Soumazannes are limited in the source material, the historical population data indicates a small rural community with figures recorded as: 163, 167, 171, 165, 163, 221, 180, 177, 165, 169, 174, 158, 162, 161, 161, 160, and 168. These figures suggest a population that has fluctuated over time, typical of many rural French communes that have experienced both growth and decline throughout the modern era. The variation between 158 and 221 residents indicates a small settlement, consistent with the rural nature of the Meuse department.

### Related Administrative Entities

Azannes-et-Soumazannes exists within a network of French administrative divisions. The commune of France represents a territorial subdivision for municipalities, established in 1789. The canton of Damvillers serves as an electoral district for various local elections and represents a grouping of neighbouring communes for administrative purposes. The arrondissement of Verdun is an intermediate administrative division between the department and the canton, responsible for certain state administrative functions. The department of Meuse (inception: March 4, 1790) is the primary administrative unit, responsible for local governance, social services, and infrastructure.

### Connection to Broader French History

The commune's location in the Meuse department connects it to broader patterns of French history. The department was formed in 1790 from portions of the former province of Lorraine, which had been integrated into France earlier in the 18th century. The region has historically served as a strategic corridor between France and Germany, explaining its significance in multiple conflicts, including the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), World War I (1914-1918), and World War II (1939-1945).

The administrative recognition through the Croix de guerre places Azannes-et-Soumazannes within the collective memory of French sacrifice during the First World War. This conflict profoundly shaped the department's identity, with numerous communes receiving military honours for their wartime experiences. The Battle of Verdun, in particular, became embedded in French national consciousness as a testament to endurance and resistance.

## 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. [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)
23. museum-digital