# Benay

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q322116](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q322116)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benay

## Summary
Benay is a commune located in the Aisne department of France. It belongs to the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin and was formerly part of the canton of Moÿ-de-l'Aisne until March 2015. The commune has a recorded sitelink count of 48 and a Wikipedia title of Benay.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune in Aisne, France; subtype of commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception 1789).
- **Location**: Department of Aisne (inception March 4, 1790); arrondissement of Saint-Quentin; former canton of Moÿ-de-l'Aisne (until March 2015).
- **Country**: France (country in Western Europe and other continents through overseas territories; inception dates include 843-08 for West Francia via Treaty of Verdun, 481 for Francia, 1804-05-18 for First French Empire; sitelink count 409).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.759444444444, longitude 3.3047222222222.
- **Population figures**: 212.0, 208.0, 210.0, 204.0, 200.0, 192.0, 214.0, 222.0, 206.0, 187.0, 199.0, 214.0, 196.0, 193.0, 191.0, 188.0, 191.0.
- **Sitelink count**: 48.
- **Wikipedia title**: Benay.
- **Wikidata description**: Commune in Aisne, France.
- **Awards**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception April 2, 1915).

## FAQs
**Where is Benay located and what are its administrative divisions?**  
Benay sits in the Aisne department within the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin in France. It was part of the canton of Moÿ-de-l'Aisne until that canton's dissolution in March 2015.

**What population data exists for Benay?**  
Recorded population figures for Benay include 212.0, 208.0, 210.0, 204.0, 200.0, 192.0, 214.0, 222.0, 206.0, 187.0, 199.0, 214.0, 196.0, 193.0, 191.0, 188.0, and 191.0 across various points.

**What recognition has Benay received?**  
Benay earned the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915.

**How does Benay connect to broader French structures?**  
As a commune of France, Benay functions as a municipal territorial subdivision established since 1789, nested within Aisne department (from March 4, 1790) and the country of France with its extensive history from West Francia in 843.

## Why It Matters
Benay represents a foundational unit in France's municipal framework, embodying the commune structure that has defined local governance since 1789. Its placement in Aisne, a department formed in 1790, ties it to the revolutionary reorganization of French territory, enabling decentralized administration within a unitary republic. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its historical role in national defense during World War I, contributing to France's legacy as a military and cultural powerhouse. With coordinates anchoring it precisely in northern France and fluctuating populations reflecting rural demographic shifts, Benay exemplifies small-scale communities that sustain France's vast network of over 35,000 communes, supporting local identity amid the nation's global influence through the EU, UN Security Council, and nuclear status. Its sitelinks and documentation highlight its place in digital knowledge ecosystems, preserving details of everyday French heritage against larger narratives of Paris or overseas territories.

## Notable For
- Award of Croix de guerre 1914–1918, recognizing valor in World War I.
- Precise geographic coordinates (49.759444444444° N, 3.3047222222222° E) in Aisne.
- Series of documented population metrics showing variability from 187.0 to 222.0.
- Former inclusion in canton of Moÿ-de-l'Aisne until March 2015 restructuring.
- 48 sitelinks across platforms, indicating solid online documentation.
- Direct administrative ties to arrondissement of Saint-Quentin and Aisne department.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Benay occupies coordinates at latitude 49.759444444444 and longitude 3.3047222222222. It functions as a commune within the Aisne department of France. Aisne itself is a department with inception on March 4, 1790, and a sitelink count of 104. Benay falls under the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin, which has a sitelink count of 33.

### Administrative Structure
Benay qualifies as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789 with a sitelink count of 83. It previously belonged to the canton of Moÿ-de-l'Aisne, a canton of France that existed until March 2015 and has a sitelink count of 15. All these divisions operate within the country France, detailed with inception points at 843-08 (West Francia via Treaty of Verdun), 481 (Francia), and 1804-05-18 (First French Empire), alongside a sitelink count of 409.

### Population and Demographics
Population records for Benay list: 212.0, 208.0, 210.0, 204.0, 200.0, 192.0, 214.0, 222.0, 206.0, 187.0, 199.0, 214.0, 196.0, 193.0, 191.0, 188.0, 191.0. These figures capture changes over time in this rural commune.

### Recognition and Awards
Benay received the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration began on April 2, 1915, and carries a sitelink count of 17.

### Digital and Knowledge Representation
Benay holds a sitelink count of 48. Its Wikipedia title is Benay. The Wikidata description states: commune in Aisne, France. These elements connect it to broader knowledge bases mirroring France's extensive documentation.

### Connections to France
France encompasses Benay through layered administrations. As a semi-presidential republic, France integrates communes like Benay into its 18 regions, with Aisne in metropolitan Europe. France's structure includes bicameral Parliament, President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and divisions into metropolitan and overseas territories across continents. Benay's role aligns with France's communal system post-1789, amid national traits like coordinates 47°N 2°E, population 68,605,616 (2025 estimate), and area 643,801 km².

## References

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