# Belleray

> commune in Meuse, France

**Wikidata**: [Q426483](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q426483)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleray)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belleray

## Summary
Belleray is a commune located in the Meuse department of northeastern France. It is a small rural municipality with historical ties to the broader administrative and geographic structures of France, including its inclusion in the arrondissement of Verdun and the former canton of Verdun-Centre.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Belleray is situated in the Meuse department, in the Grand Est region of France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.131944444444, Longitude 5.3991666666667.
- **Population Data**: Population figures include 464.0, 484.0, 508.0, 514.0, 280.0, 379.0, 510.0, 513.0, 439.0, 423.0, 445.0, 525.0, 527.0, 507.0, 486.0, and 464.0 across various years.
- **Administrative Affiliation**:
  - Part of the **arrondissement of Verdun**, an administrative division in Meuse.
  - Historically part of the **canton of Verdun-Centre**, which existed until March 2015.
- **Country**: France (officially the French Republic), a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe.
- **Local Government Classification**: Belleray is classified as a **commune of France**, the smallest administrative subdivision for municipalities in the country, established in 1789.
- **Website**: The official website for Belleray is [http://belleray.fr](http://belleray.fr).
- **Historical Recognition**: Belleray is associated with the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915.
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Belleray has a dedicated Wikipedia page.
- **Sitelink Count**: Belleray has 42 sitelinks, indicating its presence across various online platforms and databases.

## FAQs
**What is Belleray?**  
Belleray is a commune in the Meuse department in northeastern France. It is a local administrative unit classified under the French territorial subdivision for municipalities.

**Where is Belleray located?**  
Belleray is located in the Meuse department, within the arrondissement of Verdun, in the Grand Est region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately latitude 49.13194 and longitude 5.39917.

**What is the population of Belleray?**  
Population data for Belleray includes multiple figures such as 464, 484, 508, 514, 280, 379, 510, 513, 439, 423, 445, 525, 527, 507, 486, and 464 across different years, indicating fluctuations over time.

**What administrative divisions is Belleray part of?**  
Belleray belongs to the arrondissement of Verdun and was formerly part of the canton of Verdun-Centre, which was dissolved in March 2015. It is also part of the Meuse department, which was established on March 4, 1790.

**Is Belleray associated with any historical recognition or awards?**  
Yes, Belleray is associated with the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration established in 1915 to recognize acts of bravery during World War I.

**Does Belleray have an official website?**  
Yes, the official website for Belleray is [http://belleray.fr](http://belleray.fr).

## Why It Matters
Belleray represents a small but integral part of France's decentralized administrative structure. As a commune, it plays a role in local governance, contributing to the cultural and historical fabric of the Meuse department and the broader Grand Est region. Its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 also underscores its historical significance, particularly in the context of World War I. Belleray's local identity contributes to the diversity and richness of rural French communities.

## Notable For
- **Historical Military Recognition**: Associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military honor from World War I.
- **Administrative Positioning**: Located within the historically significant arrondissement of Verdun, known for its role in World War I.
- **Local Governance**: Part of France’s commune system, established in 1789, which forms the backbone of French municipal administration.
- **Cultural Preservation**: Maintains a local identity within the broader French cultural and historical narrative.
- **Digital Presence**: Hosts an official website, indicating local efforts toward digital engagement and transparency.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Belleray is a commune in the **Meuse department**, which is part of the **Grand Est region** in northeastern France. The commune is situated at **latitude 49.131944444444** and **longitude 5.3991666666667**, placing it within the historical and geographic boundaries of the Lorraine area. It is part of the **arrondissement of Verdun**, an administrative division that played a central role during World War I.

### Administrative Structure
As a **commune of France**, Belleray is part of the smallest level of local government in the French Republic. Communes were formally established in 1789 during the French Revolution. Belleray is also affiliated with the **Meuse department**, which was created on **March 4, 1790**, as part of the restructuring of French territories. Until **March 2015**, Belleray was part of the **canton of Verdun-Centre**, which was dissolved as part of France’s administrative reforms.

### History and Recognition
Belleray holds a connection to the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration created on **April 2, 1915**, to recognize soldiers and units for acts of bravery during World War I. This association highlights the commune’s historical involvement or recognition in the broader context of French military history.

### Demographics and Population
Population data for Belleray includes the following figures across various years:
- 464, 484, 508, 514, 280, 379, 510, 513, 439, 423, 445, 525, 527, 507, 486, and 464.  
These numbers suggest demographic fluctuations over time, possibly due to migration, historical events, or administrative adjustments.

### Digital Presence
Belleray maintains an **official website** at [http://belleray.fr](http://belleray.fr), which serves as a digital hub for local information and civic engagement. This reflects the commune’s efforts to remain accessible and connected in the digital age.

### Cultural and National Context
As part of **France**, Belleray falls under the jurisdiction of a **semi-presidential republic** with a rich administrative and political history. France itself is known for its global influence, historical depth, and cultural contributions. Belleray, while small, contributes to the mosaic of French local governance and identity.

### Related Entities
- **Arrondissement of Verdun**: Belleray is part of this administrative division, historically significant for the Battle of Verdun during World War I.
- **Canton of Verdun-Centre**: Former administrative unit to which Belleray belonged until 2015.
- **Meuse Department**: Established in 1790, it is one of the original departments of France.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: A military decoration symbolizing bravery during World War I, with which Belleray is associated.

### Conclusion
Belleray is a small but historically and administratively significant commune in the Meuse department of France. Its local governance, historical associations, and geographic placement within the arrondissement of Verdun contribute to its unique identity within the French Republic.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/B---0000)
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 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)