# Balledent

> commune in Haute-Vienne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1136333](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1136333)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balledent)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/balledent

## Summary

Balledent is a commune located in the Haute-Vienne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in south-central France. It is situated in the arrondissement of Bellac and forms part of the historical and administrative structure of the Limousin region. With a population of approximately 200 residents, Balledent represents a small rural community in the French departmental system.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Balledent is located in the Haute-Vienne department (inception: March 4, 1790) in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Bellac
- **Country**: France
- **Type of Entity**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Coordinates**: 46.110555555556° N, 1.2091666666667° E
- **Population History**: 209 (202), 202, 205, 197, 196, 196, 196, 197, 199, 202 (various census years)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Balledent
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haute-Vienne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 (Wikipedia connections)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Balledent located in?**

Balledent is situated in the Haute-Vienne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in south-central France. The department of Haute-Vienne was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, and is part of the historical Limousin region.

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

Balledent is classified as a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune system in France was established in 1789, following the French Revolution, and serves as the fundamental unit of local government.

**What is the arrondissement of Bellac?**

The arrondissement of Bellac is an administrative division within the Haute-Vienne department. Balledent falls under this arrondissement's jurisdiction, which organizes smaller administrative units at the sub-departmental level in the French administrative system.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Balledent?**

Balledent is located at latitude 46.110555555556° N and longitude 1.2091666666667° E, placing it in the central-southern portion of the Haute-Vienne department.

**How large is the population of Balledent?**

Balledent is a small rural commune with a population of approximately 200 residents, based on census data showing figures ranging from 196 to 209 across various census years.

## Why It Matters

Balledent, while a small commune, represents an important component of France's decentralized administrative structure. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it embodies the country's commitment to local governance and municipal autonomy. The commune system allows for close-to-citizen administration, enabling residents to participate in local decision-making processes and maintain community identity.

The significance of Balledent also lies in its position within the historical and geographical context of the Limousin region, now part of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This area is known for its rural character, forested landscapes, and traditional French countryside. Communes like Balledent contribute to the demographic and cultural fabric of rural France, where small communities maintain traditional lifestyles while being integrated into the broader national administrative framework.

From an administrative perspective, Balledent's placement within the Haute-Vienne department and the arrondissement of Bellac connects it to regional governance structures that coordinate services, planning, and development at multiple levels. This hierarchical organization—from commune to arrondissement to department to region—demonstrates France's systematic approach to territorial administration.

## Notable For

- **Rural French Communal Identity**: Represents the traditional French commune system established during the Revolution
- **Departmental Heritage**: Part of Haute-Vienne, a department with origins dating to 1790
- **Local Governance**: Demonstrates the French model of decentralized municipal administration
- **Geographical Position**: Located in the historical Limousin region known for its rural landscapes

## Body

### Geography and Location

Balledent is positioned at coordinates 46.110555555556° N latitude and 1.2091666666667° E longitude, placing it in the central-southern part of the Haute-Vienne department. The commune sits within the broader geographical context of the Limousin region, characterized by rolling hills, forests, and a predominantly rural landscape. This area of south-central France is known for its natural beauty and traditional countryside, offering a contrast to the urban centers of France.

### Administrative Structure

Balledent operates as a commune within the French administrative system, which represents the lowest level of territorial organization in France. The commune system traces its institutional origins to 1789, established during the French Revolution as a means to create democratic, locally-accountable governance units. Each commune has its own municipal government, headed by a mayor and municipal council, responsible for local services, urban planning, and community affairs.

At the next administrative level, Balledent falls within the arrondissement of Bellac. Arrondissements are sub-departmental administrative divisions that coordinate regional services and administrative functions. The arrondissement system provides a middle tier of governance between communes and departments, facilitating regional planning and administrative coordination.

The commune is part of the Haute-Vienne department, which was officially created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments following the Revolution. Haute-Vienne is one of 96 departments in metropolitan France and is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France's largest region by area.

### Demographics and Population

Balledent maintains a small population of approximately 200 residents, consistent with its status as a rural commune. Census data indicates population figures ranging between 196 and 209 residents across various census years, demonstrating demographic stability typical of rural French communities. This population size is characteristic of the many small communes that dot the French countryside, particularly in the less densely populated rural regions like Limousin.

The population density of such rural communes remains low, with residents distributed across the commune's territory. These small communities often maintain traditional agricultural activities and preserve historical architecture and cultural practices specific to the region.

### Regional Context

Balledent is situated in what was historically known as the Limousin region, now part of Nouvelle-Aquitaine following the 2016 territorial reorganization of French regions. The Limousin region is renowned for its rural character, dense forests, and agricultural traditions. The area has historically been associated with livestock farming, particularly sheep and cattle, as well as forestry and small-scale agriculture.

The department of Haute-Vienne takes its name from the Vienne River, which flows through the region. The prefecture (administrative capital) is Limoges, famous worldwide for its porcelain and enamel work. The department's interior geography includes the Plateau de Millevaches, a forested highland area, and the valleys of the Vienne River and its tributaries.

### Historical Background

The establishment of Balledent as a commune aligns with the broader historical narrative of French administrative centralization and municipal governance reform. The French Revolution of 1789 fundamentally transformed the administrative map of France, replacing the old provinces and feudal divisions with a rational, uniform system of departments, arrondissements, and communes.

The department of Haute-Vienne was created in 1790 as part of this reorganization, derived from the former province of Limousin. The commune of Balledent emerged within this new framework, becoming an integral part of France's systematic territorial administration. Over the centuries, while political boundaries and regional configurations have evolved, the fundamental commune structure has remained a cornerstone of French local governance.

### Administrative Relationships

Balledent's position within the French administrative hierarchy demonstrates the interconnected nature of local governance in France:

- **Commune Level**: Balledent (municipal administration)
- **Arrondissement Level**: Bellac (sub-departmental coordination)
- **Department Level**: Haute-Vienne (prefecture: Limoges)
- **Region Level**: Nouvelle-Aquitaine (prefecture: Bordeaux)
- **National Level**: France (capital: Paris)

This multi-tiered system allows for both local autonomy and national coordination, enabling the French government to maintain administrative coherence while respecting local particularities and needs.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/L5--0180)
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
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)