# Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise

> commune in Puy-de-Dôme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q326043](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q326043)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/besse-et-saint-anastaise

## Summary
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise is a commune located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France, situated within the arrondissement of Issoire and the canton of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise. Established on July 1, 1973, this municipality serves as a local administrative entity in the Auvergne region, known for its proximity to the Super Besse ski resort. It functions as a distinct territorial subdivision of France with a population fluctuating around 1,400 to 1,500 residents in recent records.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Puy-de-Dôme department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Issoire and the canton of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise.
- **Inception Date**: July 1, 1973.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.513055555556, Longitude 2.9327777777778.
- **Population Data**: Recorded values include 1,497, 1,502, 1,571, 1,504, 1,501, 1,497, 1,476, 1,461, 1,445, and 1,442 across various census periods.
- **Official Website**: https://www.mairiedebesse.com.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Puy-de-Dôme, France.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise.
- **Image Source**: File "Eglise Saint-André de Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise 1.jpg" on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Image Artist**: Tangopaso.
- **Image License**: Public domain.
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 language links on Wikidata.
- **Country**: France.
- **Related Entity**: Super Besse (ski resort located in France).

## FAQs
**When and how was the commune of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise formed?**
The commune was officially established on July 1, 1973, creating a new municipal entity within the Puy-de-Dôme department. This inception date marks its formal recognition as a distinct administrative unit in the French territorial system.

**Where is Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise located geographically and administratively?**
Geographically, it sits at coordinates 45.513055555556° N and 2.9327777777778° E in the Auvergne region. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Issoire and the canton of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise within the Puy-de-Dôme department.

**What is the demographic profile of the commune?**
The population has varied between approximately 1,442 and 1,571 residents in recent recorded years. Specific counts include figures such as 1,497, 1,502, and 1,504, indicating a relatively stable small-town demographic.

**How can one access official information or view imagery of the commune?**
Official municipal information is available through the website https://www.mairiedebesse.com. Visual documentation, such as the church of Saint-André, is accessible via Wikimedia Commons under the public domain license, with photography credited to Tangopaso.

**What is the relationship between Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise and the nearby ski resort?**
The commune is closely associated with Super Besse, a prominent ski resort located within the same country and region. This proximity often links the administrative commune with the recreational and economic activities of the resort.

## Why It Matters
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise matters as a specific example of French local governance and territorial organization within the Puy-de-Dôme department. As a commune created in 1973, it represents the ongoing administrative evolution of rural France, maintaining a distinct identity within the larger framework of the arrondissement of Issoire. Its existence supports the decentralized structure of the French Republic, ensuring local representation and management of community affairs. Furthermore, its connection to the Super Besse ski resort highlights its role in the regional tourism and economic landscape of the Auvergne mountains. The preservation of its historical and cultural assets, such as the Saint-André church, contributes to the broader cultural heritage of the region.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Creation**: Formed specifically on July 1, 1973, distinguishing it from older, continuous settlements.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 45.513055555556° N, 2.9327777777778° E.
- **Cultural Landmark**: Home to the Eglise Saint-André, documented by photographer Tangopaso.
- **Tourism Proximity**: Located in the vicinity of the Super Besse ski resort.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a population consistently between 1,400 and 1,600 residents.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website and a robust Wikidata entry with 42 international language links.
- **Legal Status**: Recognized as a "commune," the fundamental level of administrative division in France.

## Body

### Administrative Structure and Location
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is situated within the Puy-de-Dôme department, a territory established in 1790. The commune is further categorized under the arrondissement of Issoire, which serves as a sub-prefecture for the region. Within the cantonal system, it belongs to the canton of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise. The country of France, where this commune is located, is a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with overseas territories extending its reach to the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The commune's specific geographic coordinates are 45.513055555556 degrees North latitude and 2.9327777777778 degrees East longitude.

### History and Inception
The entity of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise as a distinct commune was formally created on July 1, 1973. This date marks its inception as a legal and administrative body within the French state. Prior to this specific date, the area may have existed under different administrative configurations or as part of a merged municipality. The creation of the commune aligns with the broader history of French territorial organization, which has evolved since the inception of the commune system in 1789. The country itself traces its origins back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and later the First French Empire in 1804.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise has shown specific fluctuations over recorded periods. Data points indicate population figures of 1,497, 1,502, 1,571, 1,504, 1,501, 1,497, 1,476, 1,461, 1,445, and 1,442. These numbers reflect the demographic reality of a small rural commune. The population count of 1,571 represents a peak in the recorded data, while 1,442 represents a lower bound in the provided series. These figures are essential for local planning and resource allocation within the Puy-de-Dôme department.

### Cultural and Visual Heritage
The commune possesses cultural assets that are documented for public knowledge. A notable image of the Eglise Saint-André de Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise is available on Wikimedia Commons. This photograph was taken by the artist Tangopaso and is released under a public domain license, allowing for unrestricted use. The image file is titled "Eglise Saint-André de Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise 1.jpg" and serves as a visual record of the commune's architectural heritage. The existence of this documentation highlights the commune's contribution to the cultural landscape of the region.

### Connectivity and Digital Presence
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise maintains a digital footprint through its official website, accessible at https://www.mairiedebesse.com. This platform serves as the primary source of information for residents and visitors regarding municipal services and local news. On Wikidata, the entity is identified with the description "commune in Puy-de-Dôme, France" and holds a sitelink count of 42, indicating its presence in 42 different language versions of Wikipedia. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise." This digital connectivity ensures that the commune is represented in the global knowledge ecosystem.

### Regional Context and Related Entities
The commune is part of a larger network of entities within France. It is closely linked to the Super Besse ski resort, a significant recreational facility in the area. The relationship between the commune and the resort underscores the economic and social ties within the region. The Puy-de-Dôme department, of which Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise is a part, is a key administrative unit in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The arrondissement of Issoire provides the sub-regional administrative context, while the canton of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise groups the commune with neighboring municipalities for electoral and administrative purposes. All these entities operate under the sovereignty of France, a country with a rich history dating back to the 9th century and a modern status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

## References

1. archINFORM
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. MusicBrainz
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 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. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)