# Baix

> commune in Ardèche, France

**Wikidata**: [Q274240](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q274240)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baix)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/baix

## Summary

Baix is a commune located in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. Situated in the canton of Chomérac and the arrondissement of Privas, the commune sits at coordinates 44.7125°N latitude and 4.7638888888889°E longitude. Baix represents one of the numerous municipalities that comprise the administrative structure of France, a semi-presidential republic and unitary state in Western Europe.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Baix, Ardèche department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Administrative divisions**: Canton of Chomérac, arrondissement of Privas
- **Coordinates**: 44.7125°N, 4.7638888888889°E
- **Country**: France
- **Type of entity**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: +1789-00-00)
- **Department**: Ardèche (inception: +1790-03-04)
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Website**: http://www.baix.fr
- **Wikipedia title**: Baix
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Ardèche, France
- **Sitelink count**: 45
- **Population figures recorded**: 1049, 1076, 1114, 1164, 1207, 609, 546, 961, 748, 822, 1010, 1039, 1254, 1268, 1280, 1293, 1296

## FAQs

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

Baix is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system dates back to 1789 and serves as the fundamental unit of local administration in the country.

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

Baix is situated in the Ardèche department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The department belongs to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

**What are the administrative divisions that govern Baix?**

Baix falls under the canton of Chomérac and the arrondissement of Privas. These administrative divisions organize local governance and electoral districts within the Ardèche department.

**What is the geographic position of Baix?**

Baix is located at coordinates 44.7125 degrees north latitude and 4.7638888888889 degrees east longitude, placing it in the southern part of France within the Ardèche region known for its mountainous terrain and rivers.

**How can one find more information about Baix?**

The official website for Baix is available at http://www.baix.fr, providing local information about the commune.

## Why It Matters

Baix matters as part of the administrative fabric of France, representing the grassroots level of local governance in the French Republic. As a commune in Ardèche, it contributes to the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes France's unitary state system. The commune system, established in 1789, is fundamental to French democracy and local self-governance, allowing citizens to participate in decisions that affect their immediate communities.

The Ardèche department, where Baix is located, is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of eighteen administrative regions in France. This region represents a significant area in terms of geography, economy, and cultural heritage in southeastern France. The presence of communes like Baix helps maintain the distributed population pattern that characterizes France, preventing excessive concentration in major urban centers.

Furthermore, Baix exists within a historical administrative framework that traces its origins to the French Revolution, with departments created in 1790. Understanding communes like Baix provides insight into how France manages its territory, provides local services, and maintains civic engagement at the community level.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Ardèche department, established during the French Revolution in 1790
- Located in the canton of Chomérac, organizing local administrative and electoral functions
- Situated in the arrondissement of Privas, the administrative center for the area
- Part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions
- Included in the French commune system dating back to 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Baix is a commune positioned in the southeastern region of France within the Ardèche department. The geographic coordinates of 44.7125°N latitude and 4.7638888888889°E longitude place the commune in a predominantly rural area known for its natural landscapes, including mountains, valleys, and the Ardèche River. The commune contributes to the character of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which encompasses diverse terrain from the Massif Central to the Alps.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Baix operates as the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune is part of the canton of Chomérac, which serves as a district for electoral purposes and certain administrative functions. At a higher level, Baix belongs to the arrondissement of Privas, which coordinates intercommunal activities and represents a intermediate administrative division between the canton and the department level.

The broader administrative hierarchy includes the Ardèche department, established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. Ardèche is one of the original departments created when France was reorganized from the old provincial system into the modern departmental structure. The department is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, formed through the merger of the former Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions in 2016.

### Historical Context

The commune system in France, to which Baix belongs, was established in 1789 during the French Revolution as part of the radical reorganization of French society and administration. This system replaced the previous feudal divisions with a rational, uniform structure of local government. Each commune operates with a mayor and municipal council, providing services such as urban planning, local taxation, and community facilities.

Ardèche's creation as a department in 1790 reflects the revolutionary principle of dividing the nation into equal administrative units rather than the historical provinces that represented old feudal territories. The department was named after the Ardèche River, which flows through the region.

### Regional Context

Baix exists within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which has become one of France's most important economic and demographic regions. This region was formed by merging the historical regions of Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes, combining the volcanic landscapes of the Massif Central with the Alpine territories and the urban economic centers around Lyon and Grenoble.

The arrondissement of Privas serves as the administrative center for this portion of Ardèche. Privas, the prefecture (capital) of the Ardèche department, coordinates governmental functions and services for the surrounding communes, including Baix.

### Population and Demographics

While the specific population figures provided in the source material (ranging from 546 to 1,296 across various recorded years) do not include explicit year designations, they indicate that Baix has maintained a relatively stable population over time. These figures represent the fluctuating population counts that many rural French communes experience, influenced by economic conditions, migration patterns, and broader demographic trends affecting rural areas across France.

The commune of France system allows for municipalities of varying sizes, from small rural villages like Baix to large cities like Paris. This diversity reflects France's approach to maintaining a balanced territorial development across the nation.

### Local Governance and Services

As part of the French administrative system, Baix operates under the governance of a mayor and municipal council, elected by local residents. The commune is responsible for various local services, including municipal infrastructure, local planning, civil registration (births, marriages, deaths), and community facilities.

The municipal website at http://www.baix.fr provides information about local governance, services, and community matters to residents and visitors. This digital presence reflects the modern approach to local administration in France, where even small communes maintain online visibility.

### Relationship to National Structure

Baix is connected to the broader French administrative hierarchy through multiple levels. At the national level, France operates as a unitary state with a semi-presidential republic system. The country is divided into 18 regions, which are further subdivided into departments (100 in metropolitan France and overseas), then arrondissements, cantons, and finally communes.

This hierarchical structure ensures that local governance maintains connection to national policies while allowing for regional and local adaptation. Communes like Baix represent the most immediate level of government for French citizens, providing services and representation at the most local scale.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The Ardèche department is known for its distinctive identity within France, characterized by its rural character, natural beauty, and cultural traditions. The region is famous for its prehistoric caves, Romanesque churches, and the spectacular Ardèche Gorge, which attracts tourists from around the world.

As part of this regional identity, Baix contributes to the cultural tapestry of Ardèche. The department maintains its own cultural heritage, including local festivals, culinary traditions (such as chestnuts and wines from the region), and historical sites that reflect the area's long human occupation dating back to prehistoric times.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/V---0000)
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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)