# Bus-lès-Artois

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1090126](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1090126)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus-lès-Artois)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bus-l-s-artois

## Summary

Bus-lès-Artois is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 50.103333°N latitude and 2.541389°E longitude, this small rural municipality falls within the canton of Acheux-en-Amiénois and is part of both the arrondissement of Péronne and the arrondissement of Amiens. The commune was recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its suffering during World War I, reflecting its location in the Somme battlefield region.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Bus-lès-Artois
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France
- **Department**: Somme (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Canton**: Acheux-en-Amiénois
- **Arrondissements**: Péronne, Amiens
- **Coordinates**: 50.103333°N, 2.541389°E
- **Population**: 140 (most recent), with historical figures of 139, 136, 135, 134, 133, 131
- **Website**: https://buslesartois.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bus-lès-Artois
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Somme, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 42
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Commune Status Established**: 1789 (commune of France territorial subdivision inception)
- **Related Administrative Entity**: commune of France

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Bus-lès-Artois?**

Bus-lès-Artois is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It operates as a local administrative unit within the French departmental system, governed by elected officials including a mayor and municipal council.

**Where is Bus-lès-Artois located geographically?**

Bus-lès-Artois is situated in the Somme department in northern France, specifically in the Hauts-de-France region. Its precise location is at latitude 50.103333°N and longitude 2.541389°E, placing it in the historical region of Artois near the Somme River valley.

**What is Bus-lès-Artois's administrative structure?**

The commune belongs to the canton of Acheux-en-Amiénois and is part of both the arrondissement of Péronne and the arrondissement of Amiens. This dual arrondissement affiliation reflects its position in the administrative geography of the Somme department.

**Did Bus-lès-Artois participate in World War I?**

Yes, Bus-lès-Artois was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This recognition indicates that the commune suffered damage during World War I fighting, likely due to its proximity to the Somme battlefield, which was the site of one of the war's most devastating battles including the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

**What is the population of Bus-lès-Artois?**

The most recent population figure recorded is 140 residents. Historical data shows population figures of 139, 136, 135, 134, 133, and 131 across recent years, indicating relative population stability for this small rural commune.

## Why It Matters

Bus-lès-Artois matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. Its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its place in the historical memory of the First World War, when the Somme department became synonymous with some of the most brutal fighting in military history. The commune's location in the Artois region places it near historically significant territories that changed hands multiple times between France and neighboring powers throughout history.

The commune demonstrates the persistence of small agricultural communities in northern France, a region that has historically been both fertile farmland and a contested frontier. Its dual affiliation with both the arrondissement of Péronne and the arrondissement of Amiens reflects the administrative organization designed to serve rural populations while connecting them to larger urban centers for administrative and commercial purposes.

For those studying French geography, local history, or the administrative structure of France, Bus-lès-Artois serves as a data point illustrating how small municipalities integrate into larger departmental and regional systems. The commune's official website (https://buslesartois.fr) indicates ongoing local governance and community engagement, demonstrating that even small communes maintain digital presence in modern France.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for wartime suffering
- **Historical Region**: Located in Artois, a historically contested region between France and neighboring powers
- **Administrative Dual Affiliation**: Part of both the arrondissement of Péronne and arrondissement of Amiens
- **Rural Heritage**: Represents the small agricultural communes characteristic of the Somme department
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website (https://buslesartois.fr)

## Body

### Geography and Location

Bus-lès-Artois is positioned at coordinates 50.103333°N latitude and 2.541389°E longitude, placing it in the northern portion of the Somme department. The commune sits in the historical region of Artois, from which it derives its name. This area of northern France is characterized by relatively flat, fertile agricultural land that has been cultivated for centuries. The region's proximity to the Somme River and its tributaries has influenced both agricultural practices and historical settlement patterns.

The commune's location in the Hauts-de-France region places it within reasonable distance of major cities including Amiens (the departmental capital) and the former battlefield areas that now serve as sites of memorial and remembrance. The terrain consists primarily of farmland and small woodland areas typical of the Picardy plateau.

### Administrative History

Bus-lès-Artois exists within the French administrative framework that was fundamentally restructured during the French Revolution. The commune of France as a territorial subdivision was established in 1789, replacing earlier feudal and ecclesiastical divisions. The Somme department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial administrative reorganization of revolutionary France.

The commune's placement within the canton of Acheux-en-Amiénois represents an intermediate level of administrative organization between the commune and the department. The canton system serves electoral purposes and provides a framework for coordinating local services across multiple smaller communes.

The dual arrondissement affiliation—with responsibilities divided between Péronne and Amiens—reflects the administrative organization of the Somme department. The arrondissement of Péronne covers the eastern portion of the department and contains numerous communes that were heavily affected by World War I fighting, while the arrondissement of Amiens serves as a broader administrative unit encompassing the departmental capital and surrounding areas.

### World War I and Military Recognition

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Bus-lès-Artois signifies the commune's suffering during the First World War. This decoration, established on April 2, 1915, was granted to French municipalities that experienced damage during German offensives or occupation. The Somme department became the site of some of the war's most significant battles, including the Battle of the Somme (July-November 1916), which resulted in over one million casualties.

Many communes in the region were substantially damaged or destroyed during the conflict, and the Croix de guerre serves as permanent recognition of this sacrifice. The historical memory of the Great War remains significant in the Somme department, with numerous memorials, cemeteries, and battlefield sites attracting visitors and serving educational purposes.

### Demographics and Community

As a small rural commune, Bus-lès-Artois maintains a modest population that has remained relatively stable in recent years, with figures hovering around 130-140 residents. This population size is typical of the many small agricultural communes that dot the French countryside, particularly in the northern agricultural regions.

The commune operates under a municipal government structure headed by a mayor, with a municipal council assisting in local governance. These elected officials manage local affairs including municipal property, local roads, civil status registration, and coordination of local services.

### Regional Context

The Somme department, within which Bus-lès-Artois is located, encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from the coastal areas of the Baie de Somme to the agricultural plains of the interior. The department has a rich agricultural tradition, producing cereals, vegetables, and dairy products. Its strategic position on the route between Paris and the Channel ports has given it historical importance throughout French history.

The canton of Acheux-en-Amiénois groups together multiple small communes in the northwestern portion of the department. This clustering facilitates administrative coordination and represents the interconnected nature of rural communities in the region.

### Modern Administration and Services

Bus-lès-Artois maintains an official municipal website (https://buslesartois.fr), demonstrating its integration into modern digital governance. This online presence allows residents and interested parties to access information about local services, municipal decisions, and community events.

The commune participates in the broader French administrative system through its representation in departmental and regional governance structures. French communes, regardless of size, possess legal personality and fiscal autonomy, allowing them to manage local affairs within the framework of national legislation.

### Connection to French Institutional Categories

Bus-lès-Artois is categorized within Wikidata with 42 sitelinks, indicating its representation across multiple Wikimedia projects and related databases. Its wikidata_description as "commune in Somme, France" directly identifies its administrative status and geographic location.

The commune falls under the broader classification of "commune of France," a territorial subdivision category established in 1789 and representing the fundamental unit of local administration in the French Republic. This system distinguishes France from neighboring European countries and reflects the revolutionary principle of administrative uniformity applied across the national territory.

## References

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