# Béchy

> commune in Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21684](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21684)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Béchy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b-chy

## Summary
Béchy is a commune located in the Moselle department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is a small municipality situated at coordinates 48.986388888889° N, 6.3802777777778° E, with a population that has fluctuated between 275 and 652 residents across recorded census years. The commune maintains an official presence through its website at http://www.bechy.fr and is administratively linked to the arrondissement of Metz and the former canton of Pange.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Moselle department, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.986388888889, Longitude 6.3802777777778.
- **Official Website**: http://www.bechy.fr.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Metz (established January 1, 2015).
- **Historical Administrative Unit**: Formerly part of the arrondissement of Metz-Campagne (established 1919).
- **Canton History**: Located in the canton of Pange (administrative unit until March 2015).
- **Population Data Points**: Recorded populations include 275, 289, 415, 474, 519, 523, 538 (appearing twice), 585, 604, 606, 608, 614, 615, 619, 630, and 632.
- **Regional Context**: Situated within the historical region of Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen, established May 20, 1871, under the District of Alsace-Lorraine).
- **Wikidata Identifier**: Associated with 44 sitelinks across language editions.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Béchy.
- **Country Context**: Located in France, a country with origins tracing back to West Francia (Treaty of Verdun, 843) and the First French Empire (1804).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Béchy?**
Béchy is a commune situated in the Moselle department of France. It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Metz, which was reorganized on January 1, 2015, and was previously part of the arrondissement of Metz-Campagne established in 1919.

**How has the population of Béchy changed over time?**
The commune's population has varied significantly in recorded history, ranging from a low of 275 residents to a high of 652. Specific census counts include figures such as 585, 632, 538, 630, 619, 289, 415, 474, 523, 519, 608, 604, 606, 614, and 615.

**Which historical administrative regions has Béchy belonged to?**
Historically, the area was part of the canton of Pange, which existed until March 2015. During the German annexation period, the region was part of the District of Alsace-Lorraine (Bezirk Lothringen), established on May 20, 1871.

**Where can one find official information about Béchy?**
Official information regarding the commune is accessible through its dedicated website at http://www.bechy.fr. Additionally, the commune is documented in the French territorial subdivision system as a "commune of France," a category established in 1789.

## Why It Matters
Béchy serves as a microcosm of the complex administrative and historical evolution of the Moselle region in France. Its existence illustrates the shifting borders and governance structures of the area, from the medieval origins of France to the specific reorganizations of the 19th and 21st centuries. As a commune, it represents the fundamental unit of local governance in the French Republic, contributing to the decentralized administration of the nation. The specific data points regarding its population and administrative lineage provide essential context for understanding demographic trends and territorial organization in northeastern France. Its connection to the broader French state, including its status within the arrondissement of Metz and the former canton of Pange, highlights the intricate web of local and national relationships that define French civic life.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Evolution**: Transition from the arrondissement of Metz-Campagne (1919) to the arrondissement of Metz (2015).
- **Historical Region**: Part of the former Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine) established in 1871.
- **Canton History**: Formerly a constituent of the canton of Pange until its dissolution in March 2015.
- **Demographic Variance**: Exhibits a wide range of recorded population figures, from 275 to 652, reflecting historical fluctuations.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an active official website at http://www.bechy.fr.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by specific coordinates at 48.986388888889° N, 6.3802777777778° E.
- **Wikidata Visibility**: Holds a significant digital footprint with 44 sitelinks across various language editions.
- **French Territorial Structure**: Exemplifies the "commune of France" subdivision established in 1789.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Béchy is geographically positioned in the Moselle department of France. The commune is located at latitude 48.986388888889 and longitude 6.3802777777778. This location places it within the broader context of France, a country primarily in Western Europe but extending to other continents through overseas territories. The specific coordinates define its precise placement within the European continent, distinct from the overseas regions of the French Republic.

### Administrative History and Structure
The commune operates within a complex hierarchy of French administrative divisions. Currently, Béchy is part of the arrondissement of Metz, which was established on January 1, 2015. Prior to this reorganization, the commune belonged to the arrondissement of Metz-Campagne, a former administrative unit established in 1919. Historically, the commune was situated within the canton of Pange, an administrative division that ceased to exist in March 2015. These changes reflect the ongoing evolution of local governance in France. The commune is also part of the broader "commune of France" category, a territorial subdivision established in 1789.

### Historical Context and Regional Affiliations
Béchy's history is intertwined with the broader history of the Lorraine region. During the period of German annexation in the late 19th century, the area was part of the Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine), which was established on May 20, 1871. This district was part of the larger administrative structure of the time, distinct from the modern French departmental system. The region's history also connects to the origins of the French state, which traces its inception to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, establishing West Francia, and later the First French Empire in 1804.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Béchy has shown significant variation over recorded periods. Census data indicates a range of population figures, including 275, 289, 415, 474, 519, 523, 538 (recorded in two separate instances), 585, 604, 606, 608, 614, 615, 619, 630, 632, and a peak of 652. These figures demonstrate the dynamic nature of the commune's demographic profile. The data points suggest periods of growth and decline, typical of rural communes in the region. The population figures are essential for understanding the scale and capacity of the local community.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Béchy maintains an official digital presence through its website, http://www.bechy.fr. This platform serves as a primary source of information for residents and visitors. The commune is also well-documented in the Wikidata knowledge base, where it is associated with 44 sitelinks across various language editions. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Béchy," and it is described as a "commune in Moselle, France." This digital footprint ensures that information about the commune is accessible globally and integrated into the broader knowledge ecosystem.

### Connection to the French State
As a commune in France, Béchy is subject to the laws and regulations of the French Republic. The country operates as a semi-presidential republic with a unitary state structure. The official language is French, and the currency is the Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France. The commune is part of a nation that is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The administrative structure of Béchy reflects the decentralized nature of the French state, which includes 18 administrative regions and numerous departments. The commune's existence is a testament to the enduring stability of the French territorial organization since 1789.

## 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)