# Besny-et-Loizy

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q258321](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q258321)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besny-et-Loizy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/besny-et-loizy

## Summary
Besny-et-Loizy is a commune located in the Aisne department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is a small municipality characterized by its specific geographic coordinates and a fluctuating population history recorded between 233 and 370 residents across various census years. The entity is administratively linked to the arrondissement of Laon and was historically part of the canton of Laon-Nord prior to the 2015 reorganization.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Aisne department, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.6, Longitude 3.5816666666667.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Laon.
- **Historical Administrative Unit**: Formerly part of the canton of Laon-Nord (until March 2015).
- **Population Data Points**: Recorded populations include 364, 360, 369, 350, 342, 233, 259, 308, 314, 350, 350, 370, 333, 327, 322, 314, and 309.
- **Image Source**: Wikimedia Commons file "Besny_et_Loizy_(Aisne)_mairie.JPG".
- **Image License**: CC0 (Public Domain).
- **Image Artist**: Havang(nl).
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count**: 47.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Besny-et-Loizy.
- **Country Context**: France (Country code: ).
- **Department Inception**: Aisne department established on March 4, 1790.
- **Canton Inception**: Canton of Laon-Nord established on July 23, 1973.
- **Arrondissement Context**: Arrondissement of Laon (Country: ).
- **Award Association**: Linked to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration established April 2, 1915).
- **General Commune Inception**: The commune system in France dates to 1789.

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Besny-et-Loizy situated?**
Besny-et-Loizy is located in the Aisne department of France, with geographic coordinates at latitude 49.6 and longitude 3.5816666666667. It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Laon.

**What is the population history of this commune?**
The population of Besny-et-Loizy has varied significantly over recorded census periods, ranging from a low of 233 to a high of 370 residents. Specific recorded figures include 364, 360, 369, 350, 342, 259, 308, 314, 333, 327, 322, 314, and 309.

**How is the commune administratively organized?**
As a commune, it is a territorial subdivision of France established in 1789. It is currently part of the arrondissement of Laon and was previously included in the canton of Laon-Nord, which existed from 1973 until March 2015.

**Are there any visual records or media associated with Besny-et-Loizy?**
Yes, there is a public domain image of the town hall (mairie) available on Wikimedia Commons. The photograph was taken by the artist Havang(nl) and is licensed under CC0.

**What historical military recognition is associated with the area?**
The commune is associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915. This connection highlights the region's involvement in World War I.

## Why It Matters
Besny-et-Loizy serves as a representative example of the French communal system, the foundational level of local administration in the country. Its existence and data points contribute to the broader understanding of demographic trends and territorial organization within the Aisne department and the Hauts-de-France region. The entity's historical ties to the canton of Laon-Nord and the arrondissement of Laon illustrate the evolving administrative geography of France, particularly following the 2015 cantonal reforms. Furthermore, its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores the deep historical impact of World War I on rural French communities, preserving the memory of local contributions to national defense.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Former inclusion in the canton of Laon-Nord, a unit active from 1973 until its dissolution in March 2015.
- **Demographic Variance**: Exhibits a wide range of recorded population figures, fluctuating between 233 and 370 inhabitants across different census years.
- **Visual Documentation**: Features a publicly licensed, high-quality image of its town hall on Wikimedia Commons, created by Havang(nl).
- **Military Heritage**: Recognized in the context of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, reflecting its role in the First World War.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates (49.6° N, 3.5816666666667° E) within the Aisne department.
- **Communal Status**: Functions as a standard territorial subdivision of France, originating from the 1789 administrative reforms.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Location
Besny-et-Loizy is a commune situated in the Aisne department of France. Its precise geographic location is defined by the coordinates latitude 49.6 and longitude 3.5816666666667. Administratively, the commune belongs to the arrondissement of Laon. Historically, it was part of the canton of Laon-Nord, an administrative division that was established on July 23, 1973, and remained in effect until March 2015. The commune operates within the broader framework of the French Republic, where the commune system itself was instituted in 1789. The Aisne department, which encompasses Besny-et-Loizy, was created on March 4, 1790.

### Demographic Profile
The population of Besny-et-Loizy has shown significant variation over time, reflecting the dynamic nature of rural demographics in France. Recorded population figures for the commune include 364, 360, 369, 350, 342, 233, 259, 308, 314, 350, 350, 370, 333, 327, 322, 314, and 309. The lowest recorded population in this dataset is 233, while the highest is 370. These figures provide a historical snapshot of the commune's size and growth patterns across different census periods.

### Historical Context and Military Recognition
The commune is linked to significant historical events, particularly through its association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration was established on April 2, 1915, to honor acts of bravery during World War I. The connection suggests that Besny-et-Loizy, or its inhabitants, played a role in the conflict or suffered losses that warranted such recognition. The broader context of the commune's history is tied to the formation of the French state and its administrative divisions, which have evolved since the inception of the commune system in 1789.

### Visual and Digital Presence
Besny-et-Loizy has a documented visual presence through Wikimedia Commons. A specific image file, "Besny_et_Loizy_(Aisne)_mairie.JPG," depicts the town hall of the commune. This image was created by the artist Havang(nl) and is released under a CC0 license, placing it in the public domain. The entity is also represented in the Wikidata knowledge base with a sitelink count of 47, indicating its presence across various language versions of Wikipedia and other linked projects. The primary Wikipedia title for the entity is "Besny-et-Loizy."

### Administrative Relationships
The commune is part of a hierarchical administrative structure. It is a subdivision of the Aisne department, which is itself a part of the country of France. The arrondissement of Laon serves as the intermediate administrative level between the department and the commune. The former canton of Laon-Nord, which ceased to exist in March 2015, previously grouped Besny-et-Loizy with other communes for electoral and administrative purposes. These relationships define the governance and service delivery framework for the residents of Besny-et-Loizy.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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)