# Belval

> commune in Manche, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1000982](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1000982)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belval,_Manche)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belval-q1000982

## Summary
Belval is a commune located in the Manche department of Normandy, France. It is a small municipality situated within the arrondissement of Coutances and was formerly part of the canton of Cerisy-la-Salle until March 2015. The entity is geographically defined by coordinates 49.039444444444° N, -1.3636111111111° E.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Manche department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Coutances.
- **Former Administrative Division**: Canton of Cerisy-la-Salle (valid until March 2015).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.039444444444, Longitude -1.3636111111111.
- **Population History**: Recorded figures include 234, 253, 274 (twice), 290, 293, 299, 307, 312, 315 (twice), 318, 321, 325, 330, 333, and 334.
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Belval, Manche".
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Manche, France".
- **Sitelink Count**: 40 (specific to this entity entry).
- **Country Context**: Located in France, a country with inception dates tracing back to 843 (Treaty of Verdun), 481 (Francia), and 1804 (First French Empire).
- **Department Inception**: The Manche department was established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Inception**: The commune system in France originated around 1789.

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Belval located within the French administrative structure?**
Belval is a commune situated in the Manche department, which is part of the Normandy region in northwestern France. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Coutances.

**What was Belval's previous administrative affiliation before recent reforms?**
Prior to the administrative reorganization in March 2015, Belval was part of the canton of Cerisy-la-Salle. This canton is no longer an active administrative division for the commune following that date.

**What are the specific geographic coordinates of the commune?**
The commune is positioned at latitude 49.039444444444 and longitude -1.3636111111111. These coordinates place it within the broader territory of the Manche department in France.

**How has the population of Belval fluctuated over time?**
Historical population records for Belval show a range of figures, starting as low as 234 and rising to a recorded high of 334. Specific data points include 253, 274, 290, 293, 299, 307, 312, 315, 318, 321, 325, 330, and 333 residents at various census points.

## Why It Matters
Belval serves as a fundamental unit of local governance within the French Republic, representing the smallest tier of administrative division in the country's territorial structure. As a commune established following the revolutionary reforms of 1789, it embodies the decentralized administrative model that defines modern France. Its location in the Manche department connects it to the rich historical and cultural heritage of Normandy, while its specific coordinates and population data contribute to the national statistical framework used for resource allocation and planning. The entity's transition from the canton of Cerisy-la-Salle in 2015 reflects the ongoing evolution of French local government structures to improve efficiency and representation.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Formerly part of the canton of Cerisy-la-Salle until the March 2015 reorganization.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 49.039444444444° N and -1.3636111111111° E.
- **Population Variance**: Documented population figures ranging from 234 to 334 across different census years.
- **Departmental Context**: Located in the Manche department, which was founded on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Status**: Recognized as a "commune of France," a subdivision type originating in 1789.
- **Digital Presence**: Identified by the Wikipedia title "Belval, Manche" and a Wikidata sitelink count of 40.
- **Regional Placement**: Situated within the arrondissement of Coutances.

## Body

### Administrative Classification and Structure
Belval is classified as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. This status dates back to the inception of the commune system in France, which began in 1789. The entity is located within the Manche department, a French department established on March 4, 1790. Within the departmental hierarchy, Belval belongs to the arrondissement of Coutances. Historically, the commune was part of the canton of Cerisy-la-Salle; however, this affiliation ended in March 2015 due to administrative reforms. The entity is linked to the country of France, which serves as the overarching sovereign state.

### Geographic and Demographic Data
The geographic position of Belval is precisely recorded with a latitude of 49.039444444444 and a longitude of -1.3636111111111. Demographic records for the commune show a fluctuating population over time. The recorded population figures include 234, 253, 274 (appearing twice in the dataset), 290, 293, 299, 307, 312, 315 (appearing twice), 318, 321, 325, 330, 333, and 334. These numbers reflect the dynamic nature of the local population within the Manche department. The entity is associated with a sitelink count of 40, indicating its presence across various language versions of Wikipedia and other linked data projects.

### Historical Context and Origins
The existence of Belval as a commune is rooted in the broader history of the French state. The country of France has complex origins, with key inception dates including 843 (Treaty of Verdun establishing West Francia), 481 (Francia), and 1804 (First French Empire). The specific administrative unit of the commune was formalized in 1789, marking the beginning of the modern municipal system. The Manche department, which contains Belval, was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The canton of Cerisy-la-Salle, formerly associated with Belval, was a significant administrative unit until its dissolution in March 2015.

### Digital Identity and Metadata
In the digital knowledge graph, Belval is identified by the Wikipedia title "Belval, Manche." Its Wikidata description explicitly states it is a "commune in Manche, France." The entity has a sitelink count of 40, reflecting its connectivity within the Wikimedia ecosystem. The source material links Belval to the broader entity of France, which has a sitelink count of 409, and to the Manche department, which has a sitelink count of 102. The arrondissement of Coutances has a sitelink count of 27, and the former canton of Cerisy-la-Salle has a sitelink count of 12. These metrics highlight the interconnectedness of Belval within the French administrative and digital landscape.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://www.archives-manche.fr/_depot_ad50/_depot_fonds/medias/inventaires/communes/147_ED.pdf)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)