# Berles-Monchel > commune in Pas-de-Calais, France **Wikidata**: [Q1003632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1003632) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berles-Monchel) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/berles-monchel ## Summary Berles-Monchel is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 50.344166666667°N latitude and 2.5383333333333°E longitude, this small rural municipality represents one of the numerous communes that form the administrative fabric of France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Arras and was historically part of the canton of Aubigny-en-Artois until administrative reorganizations in March 2015. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Berles-Monchel - **Alias**: Berles - **Country**: France - **Department**: Pas-de-Calais (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Region**: Hauts-de-France (northern France) - **Arrondissement**: Arras - **Former Canton**: Aubigny-en-Artois (until March 2015) - **Type of Entity**: Commune of France (inception: 1789) - **Coordinates**: 50.344166666667°N, 2.5383333333333°E - **Population**: Ranging between 482 and 504 residents across recorded periods - **Wikipedia Title**: Berles-Monchel - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Pas-de-Calais, France - **Sitelink Count**: 45 ## FAQs **What region and department is Berles-Monchel located in?** Berles-Monchel is situated in the Pas-de-Calais department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Arras, which serves as an administrative division within the department. **What administrative changes affected Berles-Monchel?** Berles-Monchel was historically part of the canton of Aubigny-en-Artois until March 2015, when French administrative reorganizations led to changes in cantonal boundaries. Communes in France were restructured as part of broader departmental administrative reforms. **What is the geographic position of Berles-Monchel?** The commune is located at coordinates 50.344166666667°N latitude and 2.5383333333333°E longitude, placing it in the northern part of France within the Pas-de-Calais department. This region is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the French Flanders and Artois areas. **How does Berles-Monchel fit into France's administrative structure?** As a commune of France, Berles-Monchel represents the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system. Communes date back to 1789 and serve as the fundamental building blocks of French local government, similar to municipalities in other countries. The commune is part of a hierarchical structure that includes departments (Pas-de-Calais), arrondissements (Arras), and regions (Hauts-de-France). **What is the population of Berles-Monchel?** Berles-Monchel is a small commune with population figures ranging between 482 and 504 residents across various recorded census periods, typical of rural communes in the Pas-de-Calais department. ## Why It Matters Berles-Monchel, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French local government and administrative organization. As one of the thousands of communes that constitute the French territorial framework, it embodies the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes France's governance system. The commune's location in Pas-de-Calais places it in a region of significant historical importance, particularly given the department's role in various historical events and its proximity to the border with Belgium. The administrative reorganization that affected the canton of Aubigny-en-Artois in March 2015 reflects the ongoing evolution of French local government structures, aimed at improving administrative efficiency and coordination. Communes like Berles-Monchel serve as essential points of contact for citizens seeking local services, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the connection between national government and local populations. For researchers and those interested in French geography, administration, and demographics, Berles-Monchel exemplifies the characteristics of small rural communes in northern France—modest population sizes, agricultural surroundings, and integration into broader administrative networks that facilitate governance and public services. ## Notable For - **Administrative History**: Part of the historic canton of Aubigny-en-Artois until the 2015 cantonal reforms - **Location**: Situated in the historic region of Artois, an area of significant historical importance in northern France - **Coordinate Precision**: Located at specific coordinates (50.344166666667°N, 2.5383333333333°E) within the Pas-de-Calais department - **Communal Heritage**: Represents the traditional French communal structure dating back to 1789 - **Regional Identity**: Part of Hauts-de-France, France's most populous northern region ## Body ### Geography and Location Berles-Monchel is positioned at coordinates 50.344166666667°N latitude and 2.5383333333333°E longitude, placing it in the northern portion of France within the Pas-de-Calais department. The commune's geographic position situates it within the broader landscape of the Artois region, characterized by gently rolling hills and agricultural land typical of northern France's rural areas. The proximity to the Belgian border approximately 30 kilometers to the northeast places this commune in a zone of historical cross-border interactions and cultural exchange between French and Flemish influences. ### Administrative Structure As a commune of France, Berles-Monchel operates as the lowest tier of administrative organization in the French territorial system. The commune as an administrative concept was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing previous administrative divisions. Berles-Monchel falls under the following hierarchical administrative structure: - **Country**: France - **Region**: Hauts-de-France - **Department**: Pas-de-Calais (established March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Arras - **Former Canton**: Aubigny-en-Artois (until March 2015) The arrondissement of Arras serves as the administrative division immediately superior to the commune, while the department of Pas-de-Calais provides intermediate governance. The canton of Aubigny-en-Artois, which previously included Berles-Monchel, was reorganized in March 2015 as part of France's ongoing administrative decentralization reforms. ### Demographics and Population Berles-Monchel maintains a modest population typically ranging between 482 and 504 residents across recorded census periods. This population size is characteristic of rural communes in the Pas-de-Calais department, where agriculture remains a significant land use and economic activity. The population figures reflect the commune's role as a small, tight-knit rural community rather than an urban center. ### Historical Context The commune's existence as an administrative unit dates to 1789, aligning with the revolutionary transformation of French territorial organization. The department of Pas-de-Calais itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution, as part of the replacement of the old provincial system with departments named after rivers, mountains, or other geographic features. The area of Artois, where Berles-Monchel is located, has historically been a region of strategic importance due to its position between Paris and the Low Countries. The region has been the site of numerous historical events, particularly during conflicts between France and neighboring powers. ### Relationship to Connected Entities Berles-Monchel maintains administrative relationships with several higher-level entities: - **France**: The sovereign nation that encompasses all French communes, operating under the constitutional framework of the Fifth Republic established in 1958 - **Pas-de-Calais**: The department providing intermediate administrative functions, named after the Calaisis region and the Strait of Dover (Pas de Calais in French) - **Arrondissement of Arras**: The administrative division coordinating sub-departmental governance and services - **Commune of France**: The category of territorial administration to which Berles-Monchel belongs, representing municipalities with elected mayors and municipal councils ### Local Significance While Berles-Monchel may not be widely known internationally, it represents the essential building block of French democracy and local governance. The commune system allows for direct citizen participation in local affairs through elected municipal councils and mayors. This grassroots level of administration handles local matters including urban planning, local taxes, civil status (births, marriages, deaths), and local public services. The commune's position within the Pas-de-Calais department places it in one of France's most densely populated and economically active regions, with access to larger urban centers such as Arras, Lens, and Lille while maintaining its rural character. ## 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. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 8. Populations légales 2016 9. Populations légales 2017 10. Populations légales 2018 11. Populations légales 2019 12. Populations légales 2020 13. Populations légales 2021 14. Populations de référence 2022 15. Populations de référence 2023 16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 17. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65296603) 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)