# Belle-et-Houllefort

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q376412](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376412)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle-et-Houllefort)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belle-et-houllefort

## Summary
Belle-et-Houllefort is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is a small municipality situated at coordinates 50.743611111111° N, 1.7586111111111° E, falling under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer. As a territorial subdivision of France established in 1789, it represents a local community with a fluctuating population ranging between 503 and 577 residents in recent records.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Pas-de-Calais department, France.
- **Administrative District**: Arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 50.743611111111, Longitude 1.7586111111111.
- **Population Data**: Recorded values include 550, 557, 577, 560, 564, 566, 565, 544, 524, and 503.
- **Establishment Date**: Inception of the commune system in France occurred in 1789.
- **Parent Department**: Pas-de-Calais (inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Parent Country**: France (inception: 843 AD via Treaty of Verdun; 481 AD as Francia; 1804 as First French Empire).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Belle-et-Houllefort.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Pas-de-Calais, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45.
- **Aliases**: Belle.

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Belle-et-Houllefort located?**
Belle-et-Houllefort is situated in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Its precise geographic position is marked by the coordinates 50.743611111111° North latitude and 1.7586111111111° East longitude.

**What is the population history of this commune?**
The commune has experienced minor fluctuations in its resident count, with recorded population figures ranging from a low of 503 to a high of 577. Specific data points include 550, 557, 560, 564, 566, 565, 544, and 524, reflecting its status as a small rural community.

**How is Belle-et-Houllefort administratively classified?**
It is classified as a commune, which serves as the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This status dates back to the inception of the commune system in 1789, placing it under the broader governance of the Pas-de-Calais department and the French Republic.

**What alternative names are associated with this entity?**
The entity is primarily known as Belle-et-Houllefort, but it also carries the alias "Belle." This shorter name is recognized within the knowledge base as an alternative identifier for the same commune.

## Why It Matters
Belle-et-Houllefort serves as a specific data point representing the granular administrative structure of the French Republic, illustrating how the nation is divided into thousands of local communes. Its existence highlights the continuity of the French municipal system established in 1789, which remains the foundational unit of local governance today. While small in scale, it contributes to the demographic and geographic mosaic of the Pas-de-Calais department and the broader Hauts-de-France region. Understanding such entities is crucial for accurate geographic information systems, local governance analysis, and historical demographic studies within France.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Continuity**: Represents a municipality that has existed since the French Revolution's reorganization of local governance in 1789.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates (50.743611111111, 1.7586111111111) within the Pas-de-Calais department.
- **Population Variance**: Documented with a specific range of population figures (503 to 577), indicating stable but small-scale demographics.
- **Regional Affiliation**: Part of the arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer, linking it to a larger coastal administrative hub.
- **Alias Recognition**: Known by the shortened alias "Belle," distinguishing it in certain datasets.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains a dedicated Wikipedia entry and a Wikidata profile with 45 cross-references (sitelinks).

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Positioning
Belle-et-Houllefort is a commune located in the northern part of France, specifically within the Pas-de-Calais department. This department was established on March 4, 1790, as part of the administrative reorganization of the French state. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Boulogne-sur-Mer, a subdivision that groups several communes for administrative efficiency. Geographically, the entity is pinpointed at latitude 50.743611111111 and longitude 1.7586111111111. These coordinates place it within the broader context of Western Europe, under the sovereignty of the French Republic.

### Demographic Profile
The population of Belle-et-Houllefort is characterized by small numbers typical of rural French communes. Historical and recent census data reveals a series of specific population counts: 550, 557, 577, 560, 564, 566, 565, 544, 524, and 503. These figures demonstrate a relatively stable demographic profile with minor fluctuations over time. The highest recorded count in this dataset is 577, while the lowest is 503. As a commune, it functions as a local community where residents are governed by a municipal council, adhering to the national laws and regulations of France.

### Historical Context and Origins
The status of Belle-et-Houllefort as a commune is rooted in the French Revolution. The commune system itself was created in 1789, replacing the old feudal parishes and seigneuries with a uniform administrative structure across the nation. This entity, therefore, traces its administrative lineage back to that pivotal year. The department of Pas-de-Calais, which contains the commune, was formed shortly after on March 4, 1790. The broader nation of France has a complex origin story, with its statehood often traced to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD (establishing West Francia), the earlier Frankish kingdom of 481 AD, and the First French Empire proclaimed in 1804.

### Digital and Informational Footprint
In the digital knowledge ecosystem, Belle-et-Houllefort is represented by a specific Wikipedia title and a Wikidata entry. The Wikidata description explicitly defines it as a "commune in Pas-de-Calais, France." The entity has a sitelink count of 45, indicating its presence and reference across 45 different language versions of Wikipedia or related Wikimedia projects. It is also recognized by the alias "Belle," which may be used in specific contexts or datasets. The entity is categorized under "commune of France," a class of territorial subdivisions that originated in 1789.

### Relationship to National Entities
Belle-et-Houllefort is inextricably linked to the French state. France, the country in which it resides, is a semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris. The country operates under a constitution established in 1958 (Fifth Republic) and is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The commune benefits from the national infrastructure, including the Euro currency (in metropolitan France), the French legal system, and the national education and healthcare frameworks. The Pas-de-Calais department, its immediate superior administrative body, is one of the 101 departments of France, each with its own prefecture and departmental council.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. OpenStreetMap
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)