# Cailhau

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q568303](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q568303)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailhau)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cailhau

## Summary
Cailhau is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, within the canton of Alaigne and the arrondissement of Limoux. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 250–280 residents, situated at coordinates 43.147222222222, 2.1363888888889.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Aude department, Occitanie region, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the canton of Alaigne and the arrondissement of Limoux.
- **Population**: Recorded figures include 265, 268, 277, 266, 261, 282, 251, 219, 231, 239, 260, 256, 251, 250, 247 (various years).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.147222222222, Longitude 2.1363888888889.
- **Website**: http://www.cailhau.fr.
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Aude, France."
- **Sitelink Count**: 43 Wikipedia sitelinks.
- **Inception**: Aude department established on March 4, 1790.
- **Related Entities**:
  - **Canton of Alaigne**: Administrative division containing Cailhau.
  - **Arrondissement of Limoux**: Larger administrative district including Cailhau.
  - **Commune of France**: Municipal subdivision type to which Cailhau belongs (established 1789).

## FAQs
**Where is Cailhau located?**
Cailhau is a commune in the Aude department of southern France, within the Occitanie region. It lies in the canton of Alaigne and the arrondissement of Limoux, with geographic coordinates at 43.147222222222, 2.1363888888889.

**What is the population of Cailhau?**
The population of Cailhau has varied over recent years, with recorded figures including 265, 268, 277, 266, 261, 282, 251, 219, 231, 239, 260, 256, 251, 250, and 247 residents. These fluctuations reflect typical demographic changes in small rural communes.

**What administrative divisions is Cailhau part of?**
Cailhau is part of the canton of Alaigne, which is a smaller administrative unit, and the arrondissement of Limoux, a larger district within the Aude department. The Aude department itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What is the historical context of Cailhau as a commune?**
Cailhau is classified as a "commune of France," a type of municipal subdivision introduced in 1789 during the French Revolution. This system replaced earlier feudal structures and remains the basic unit of local government in France today.

## Why It Matters
Cailhau represents the enduring structure of rural French governance and community life. As a small commune in the Aude department, it embodies the administrative and cultural fabric of southern France, where local municipalities play a crucial role in preserving regional identity, managing resources, and maintaining social cohesion. Its existence reflects the broader historical and political evolution of France, particularly the decentralization efforts that began with the Revolution and continue to shape local governance today. For residents, Cailhau provides essential services, infrastructure, and a sense of belonging, while for historians and geographers, it serves as a microcosm of rural French life.

## Notable For
- **Rural Municipality**: A classic example of a small French commune, illustrating the administrative structure of rural France.
- **Demographic Fluctuations**: Population data shows typical variations in small communities, reflecting broader trends in rural depopulation and revitalization.
- **Administrative Layers**: Part of multiple nested administrative divisions (canton, arrondissement, department), demonstrating France’s complex local governance system.
- **Historical Continuity**: As a commune established under the post-Revolutionary system (1789), it highlights the longevity of France’s municipal framework.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Cailhau is situated in the Aude department, which lies in the Occitanie region of southern France. The commune’s coordinates are 43.147222222222 (latitude) and 2.1363888888889 (longitude), placing it in a rural area characterized by the landscapes typical of the Languedoc region—rolling hills, vineyards, and Mediterranean influences. The Aude department, created on March 4, 1790, is known for its historical sites, wine production, and proximity to the Pyrenees mountains.

### Administrative Structure
Cailhau is governed as a commune, the smallest administrative division in France, with responsibilities including local infrastructure, schools, and public services. It falls under the following administrative layers:
- **Canton of Alaigne**: A grouping of communes for electoral and administrative purposes.
- **Arrondissement of Limoux**: A larger district overseeing multiple cantons, including Alaigne.
- **Aude Department**: One of France’s original 83 departments, established during the French Revolution to replace the old provincial system.

This nested structure ensures that local governance is both decentralized and integrated into the broader national framework.

### Demographics
The population of Cailhau has experienced fluctuations over the years, with recorded figures including:
- 265, 268, 277, 266, 261, 282, 251, 219, 231, 239, 260, 256, 251, 250, and 247 residents.
These numbers reflect the challenges and dynamics of rural communities, where factors such as economic opportunities, aging populations, and migration patterns influence demographic trends. The commune’s small size is typical of many rural municipalities in France, where local identity and community ties remain strong despite population changes.

### Historical Context
Cailhau’s status as a commune traces back to the French Revolution, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the feudal system and established communes as the basic units of local government in 1789. This reform aimed to create a more equitable and rational administrative system, replacing the patchwork of feudal lordships and ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The Aude department, where Cailhau is located, was one of the first departments created under this new system on March 4, 1790.

### Governance and Services
As a commune, Cailhau is responsible for a range of local services, including:
- **Public Infrastructure**: Maintenance of roads, water supply, and sewage systems.
- **Education**: Management of primary schools and coordination with regional educational authorities.
- **Public Safety**: Local police (if applicable) and emergency services, often in collaboration with neighboring communes.
- **Cultural and Social Services**: Libraries, community centers, and events that foster local identity and cohesion.

The mayor (maire) of Cailhau, elected by the municipal council, serves as both the executive and representative of the commune, liaising with higher levels of government to secure funding and support for local projects.

### Related Administrative Entities
Cailhau is connected to several broader administrative and geographical entities:
- **Canton of Alaigne**: A territorial division that groups Cailhau with other nearby communes for electoral and administrative efficiency.
- **Arrondissement of Limoux**: An intermediate-level administrative division that oversees multiple cantons, including Alaigne, and facilitates regional planning and resource allocation.
- **Aude Department**: The larger departmental government, which handles broader issues such as transportation, healthcare, and economic development.

### Online Presence
Cailhau maintains an official website at http://www.cailhau.fr, which likely provides information on local services, events, and administrative procedures for residents and visitors. This digital presence is increasingly important for small communes to communicate with their populations and promote local initiatives.

### Significance in the French Administrative System
Cailhau exemplifies the enduring importance of the commune in France’s administrative landscape. Despite its small size, it plays a vital role in maintaining local governance, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring the delivery of essential services to its residents. The commune system, established over two centuries ago, remains a cornerstone of French democracy, allowing for direct citizen participation and tailored local policies. In this context, Cailhau’s existence underscores the balance between national unity and local autonomy that defines the French Republic.

## 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 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)