# Baulny

> commune in Meuse, France

**Wikidata**: [Q228779](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q228779)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baulny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/baulny

## Summary
Baulny is a small commune located in the Meuse department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Varennes-en-Argonne. It is recognized for receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a military decoration awarded during World War I. The commune operates as a fundamental territorial subdivision within the French Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Meuse department, Grand Est region, France.
- **Administrative Divisions**: Part of the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Varennes-en-Argonne.
- **Coordinates**: 49.262222222222 latitude, 5.0141666666667 longitude.
- **Population History**: Recorded populations include 15, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 20, and 19 inhabitants across various census periods.
- **Military Award**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration instituted in 1915).
- **Entity Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Department Inception**: Meuse department established on March 4, 1790.
- **National Context**: France is a semi-presidential republic and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects.

## FAQs
**Where is Baulny located?**
Baulny is situated in northeastern France within the Meuse department. It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Varennes-en-Argonne, with geographic coordinates at approximately 49.26°N latitude and 5.01°E longitude.

**What is the population of Baulny?**
The commune has a very small population, with historical data points recording 15, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 20, and 19 inhabitants. This places it among the smallest communes in the region.

**What is the Croix de guerre 1914–1918?**
The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 is a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to honor units and individuals for distinguished service during World War I. Baulny is one of the communes that received this distinction.

**What type of administrative unit is Baulny?**
Baulny is a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. This type of subdivision was established during the French Revolution in 1789.

## Why It Matters
Baulny matters primarily as a historical marker of the First World War, evidenced by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This decoration signifies the commune's role or suffering during the conflict, linking it to the broader history of the Meuse department and the Verdun region, which were central to the war effort. As a commune, it also serves as a vital administrative unit within the French state, embodying the local governance structure of the Republic. Its existence within the arrondissement of Verdun places it in a geographically and historically significant area of France.

## Notable For
- **Military Distinction**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its actions or resilience during World War I.
- **Minimal Population**: Notable for having a population that has fluctuated between 15 and 20 inhabitants in recent records.
- **Geographic Context**: Located in the canton of Varennes-en-Argonne, an area historically associated with the Argonne offensive.
- **Administrative Longevity**: Part of the Meuse department, which has existed since March 4, 1790.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Baulny is a commune situated in the Meuse department of France. It is geographically positioned at coordinates 49.262222222222 latitude and 5.0141666666667 longitude. Administratively, it resides within the arrondissement of Verdun and the canton of Varennes-en-Argonne.

The commune is part of the broader French Republic, which is located primarily in Western Europe but extends its presence to other continents through overseas territories. Metropolitan France shares borders with Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland. The country encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres, with the highest point being Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters) and the lowest point being Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters). France also possesses overseas territories in the Americas (e.g., French Guiana), Africa (e.g., Réunion), Oceania (e.g., New Caledonia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land).

### Administration and Governance
As a commune, Baulny is a territorial subdivision for municipalities, a status established in France in 1789. It is governed under the framework of the French Fifth Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The national executive branch is shared between the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu.

The legislative branch operates as a bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. The Meuse department, in which Baulny is located, was established on March 4, 1790. France is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since 1945). It is also a member of NATO, the G7, the G20, and the World Trade Organization.

### Demographics and Society
Baulny is characterized by a very small population, with recorded data points indicating populations of 15, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 20, and 19 inhabitants. This contrasts sharply with the national population of France, which is estimated at 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025.

The broader French society is highly urbanized, with a life expectancy of 82 years (2022). The official language is French, and the age of majority is 18 years. Compulsory education is mandated for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The national motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity), and the national anthem is "La Marseillaise."

### History and Recognition
Baulny has been recognized for its historical significance, particularly during World War I. It was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This award highlights the commune's connection to the military history of the region.

The history of France, the sovereign state encompassing Baulny, traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804. France has undergone several regime changes, including the Vichy France regime during World War II, before establishing the current Fifth Republic. The country possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960, and maintains a significant global diplomatic presence.

### Economy and Infrastructure
While specific economic data for Baulny is limited in the provided source, the commune operates within the economy of France. France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022) and a government budget of €455.2 billion (2023). The currency used is the Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France.

Infrastructure standards in France include driving on the right side of the road, a metric system of measurement, and an electrical grid operating at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. The country observes Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

## 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. Populations légales 2016
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. Populations légales 2019
11. Populations légales 2020
12. Populations légales 2021
13. Populations de référence 2022
14. Populations de référence 2023
15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
17. GeoNames
18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
19. [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)
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)