# Cérilly

> commune in Allier, France

**Wikidata**: [Q223186](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223186)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cérilly,_Allier)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/c-rilly

## Summary
Cérilly is a commune located in the Allier department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. Situated in the arrondissement of Montluçon, it serves as the administrative center for the canton of Cérilly and is geographically defined by its proximity to the Forest of Tronçais.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Allier (inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (implied by department location).
- **Arrondissement**: Montluçon.
- **Canton**: Cérilly (administrative division).
- **Coordinates**: 46.617777777778° N, 2.8208333333333° E.
- **Population**: Historical and recent figures include 1,322, 1,316, 1,336, 1,311, 1,307, 1,958, 1,956, 1,820, 1,591, 1,568, 1,407, 1,338, 1,305, 1,309, 1,312.
- **Official Website**: https://mairiecerilly.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Cérilly, Allier.
- **Wikidata ID**:  (Country: France).
- **Sitelink Count**: 53 (across various language Wikipedias).
- **Geographic Context**: Located within the territory of the Forest of Tronçais.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the commune subdivision system established in 1789.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Cérilly within France?**
Cérilly is a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Allier department, the Montluçon arrondissement, and serves as the seat of the canton of Cérilly.

**Where is Cérilly located geographically?**
The commune is situated in central France with specific coordinates at 46.617777777778° North latitude and 2.8208333333333° East longitude. It is closely associated with the Forest of Tronçais, a significant natural landmark in the region.

**What is the population history of Cérilly?**
The population of Cérilly has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 1,305 to a high of 1,958 in the provided dataset. Recent estimates hover around 1,300 to 1,330 inhabitants, reflecting a relatively stable demographic profile.

**How can one access official information about Cérilly?**
The primary digital resource for the commune is its official municipal website located at https://mairiecerilly.fr. This site serves as the central hub for local governance, news, and administrative services for residents.

## Why It Matters
Cérilly matters as a representative example of rural French administration and community structure within the Allier department. Its significance lies in its role as the administrative hub for the canton of Cérilly, coordinating local governance for the surrounding area. The commune's connection to the Forest of Tronçais highlights its importance in regional ecology and forestry management. Furthermore, its inclusion in the national statistical framework with over 50 international Wikipedia links demonstrates its visibility as a distinct entity in global knowledge bases.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the seat of the canton of Cérilly.
- **Forest Proximity**: Located adjacent to or within the Forest of Tronçais.
- **Historical Data**: Possesses a detailed historical population record spanning from 1,305 to 1,958.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an active official municipal website (mairiecerilly.fr).
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (46.617777777778, 2.8208333333333).
- **Wikidata Integration**: Holds a robust presence with 53 sitelinks across language editions.
- **Departmental Context**: A constituent part of the Allier department, established in 1790.

## Body

### Administrative Structure and Hierarchy
Cérilly operates as a commune, the fundamental unit of local government in France. This status was formalized within the French territorial subdivision system, which originated in 1789. The commune is situated within the Allier department, a division created on March 4, 1790. Administratively, it belongs to the arrondissement of Montluçon. Additionally, Cérilly functions as the central entity for the canton of Cérilly, a subdivision used for electoral and administrative purposes. The commune is part of the broader country of France, which is classified as a semi-presidential republic.

### Geography and Location
The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 46.617777777778 and longitude 2.8208333333333. This location places it in the central part of the country, specifically within the Allier department. A defining geographic feature of the area is the Forest of Tronçais, a major forest in France with which Cérilly is directly associated. The commune's territory is part of the larger French landscape that includes diverse ecosystems ranging from metropolitan Europe to overseas territories, though Cérilly itself is located in the European metropolitan region.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Cérilly has been tracked through various census periods, revealing a range of demographic shifts. Recorded population figures include 1,322, 1,316, 1,336, 1,311, and 1,307 in recent years. Historical data points show higher numbers, such as 1,958 and 1,956, as well as 1,820, 1,591, 1,568, 1,407, 1,338, 1,305, 1,309, and 1,312. These figures illustrate the commune's demographic history, showing periods of growth and decline. The current population estimates generally cluster around the 1,300 mark, indicating a stable rural community size.

### Digital Presence and Knowledge Representation
Cérilly maintains a significant presence in digital knowledge repositories. The commune has a dedicated official website at https://mairiecerilly.fr, which serves as the primary source of information for residents and visitors. In the context of global knowledge bases, Cérilly is represented on Wikipedia under the title "Cérilly, Allier." It holds a substantial number of international connections, with a sitelink count of 53 across various language editions of Wikipedia. This high number of links reflects the entity's recognition and categorization within the Wikidata ecosystem ( for France).

### Historical and Regional Context
The existence of Cérilly is tied to the broader history of the Allier department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Montluçon, a sub-division of the department. Its administrative role is reinforced by its status as the seat of the canton of Cérilly. The commune's identity is also linked to the natural heritage of the region, specifically the Forest of Tronçais, which is a notable forest in France. These connections place Cérilly within a network of historical, administrative, and natural entities that define the region's character.

## 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)