# Barles

> commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q865218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q865218)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/barles

## Summary
Barles is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Situated in the arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains, this small municipality has a population fluctuating between approximately 80 and 150 residents in recent decades. It operates as a standard French territorial subdivision with its own municipal administration and geographic coordinates at 44.263611111111° N, 6.2680555555556° E.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 44.263611111111, Longitude 6.2680555555556.
- **Official Website**: http://mairiedebarles.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Barles.
- **Population History**: Recorded figures include 143, 138, 137, 152, 134, 132, 100, 81, 85, 104, 114, 144, 152, 133, 132, 131, 124, and 118.
- **Country Context**: Part of France, a semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris.
- **Department Inception**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence was established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Inception**: The commune status in France dates back to 1789.
- **Sitelink Count**: 44 (Wikidata).
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France".

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Barles located within the French administrative structure?**
Barles is a commune situated in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which is part of the larger Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains.

**What is the population trend of Barles based on available data?**
The population of Barles has varied over time, with recorded counts ranging from a low of 81 to a high of 152 residents. Specific historical data points include 143, 138, 137, 134, 132, 100, 85, 104, 114, 144, 133, 131, 124, and 118.

**How can one access official information or contact the local government of Barles?**
Official information and municipal services for the commune are accessible through its dedicated website at http://mairiedebarles.fr. This digital portal serves as the primary online interface for the local administration.

**What are the precise geographic coordinates of the commune?**
The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 44.263611111111 and longitude 6.2680555555556. These coordinates place it within the mountainous terrain typical of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.

## Why It Matters
Barles represents a microcosm of rural France, illustrating the persistence of small-scale communal governance within a highly centralized nation. While small in population, its existence is significant as a constituent part of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a department created during the French Revolution to reorganize territorial administration. The commune contributes to the demographic and cultural fabric of the region, maintaining local traditions and administrative continuity since the establishment of the commune system in 1789. Its inclusion in the arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains highlights its integration into the broader network of French local governance, ensuring that even remote areas remain connected to national infrastructure and services.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates of 44.263611111111° N and 6.2680555555556° E.
- **Administrative History**: Exists as a direct descendant of the 1789 commune system and the 1790 creation of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.
- **Population Variability**: Demonstrates demographic fluctuation with recorded populations ranging from 81 to 152 residents.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website at http://mairiedebarles.fr.
- **Wikidata Recognition**: Holds a specific Wikidata entry with 44 sitelinks and a distinct description.
- **Regional Context**: Located within the arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains, a key administrative hub in the department.

## Body
### Administrative Structure and Classification
Barles functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. This status was formalized with the inception of the commune system in 1789. The entity is located within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, a territorial subdivision established on March 4, 1790. Further down the administrative hierarchy, Barles belongs to the arrondissement of Digne-les-Bains. This structure places the commune under the broader governance of the French Republic, which operates as a semi-presidential unitary state. The commune is a standard territorial subdivision for municipalities in France, sharing this classification with thousands of other entities across the country.

### Geographic and Demographic Data
The physical location of Barles is pinpointed at latitude 44.263611111111 and longitude 6.2680555555556. This positioning places it within the mountainous landscape of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Demographically, the commune is small, with population figures recorded over various census periods showing significant fluctuation. The data points include populations of 143, 138, 137, 152, 134, 132, 100, 81, 85, 104, 114, 144, 152, 133, 132, 131, 124, and 118. These numbers reflect the dynamic nature of rural populations in the region, influenced by factors such as seasonal migration, economic shifts, and local development.

### Digital Presence and Information
In the modern era, Barles maintains a digital footprint through its official website, http://mairiedebarles.fr. This platform serves as the primary source of information for residents and visitors regarding municipal services, local news, and administrative procedures. The entity is also cataloged in the Wikidata knowledge base, where it is described as a "commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France." The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Barles," and it currently holds a sitelink count of 44, indicating its presence and recognition across various language editions of Wikipedia and related projects.

### Historical Context and National Integration
The existence of Barles is deeply tied to the history of France. The country itself traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and later evolved through the First French Empire in 1804. The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence was created in 1790 as part of the revolutionary reorganization of the nation. Barles, as a commune, has existed since the inception of the commune system in 1789. This historical continuity ensures that the entity is an integral part of the French national identity, contributing to the country's status as a unitary state with a decentralized administration. The commune operates under the laws and regulations of the French Republic, utilizing the Euro as currency and French as the official language, consistent with the national standards established in metropolitan France.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://archives04.fr/fichier/110779/2518)
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
24. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File