# Caulaincourt

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q849507](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q849507)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulaincourt,_Aisne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/caulaincourt

## Summary
Caulaincourt is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, situated within the former canton of Vermand and the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 140 inhabitants, recognized for its historical significance during World War I, as evidenced by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Caulaincourt is in the Aisne department, within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin and formerly the canton of Vermand (until March 2015).
- **Population**: Historical population data shows fluctuations between 110 and 149 inhabitants (e.g., 149 in one year, 110 in another).
- **Coordinates**: 49.864444444444° N, 3.1061111111111° E.
- **Awards**: Awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918** (established April 2, 1915), a French military decoration for its role during World War I.
- **Type of Settlement**: A **commune of France**, the basic territorial subdivision for municipalities since 1789.
- **Image**: The commune's town hall is depicted in a public domain image (CC0 license) by Havang(nl), available on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 45 sitelinks, including a Wikipedia article titled "Caulaincourt, Aisne."

## FAQs

**Where is Caulaincourt located?**
Caulaincourt is a commune in the Aisne department of France, situated in the northern part of the country within the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin. It lies at coordinates 49.864444444444° N, 3.1061111111111° E.

**What is the population of Caulaincourt?**
The population of Caulaincourt has varied over time, with recorded figures ranging from 110 to 149 inhabitants. Recent data points include 144, 142, and 143 residents in different years.

**What historical significance does Caulaincourt have?**
Caulaincourt was awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a military decoration established in 1915 to honor communities that suffered significant damage or demonstrated notable resistance during World War I. This highlights its role in the conflict.

**What administrative divisions is Caulaincourt part of?**
Caulaincourt is located in the **Aisne department**, within the **arrondissement of Saint-Quentin**. Until March 2015, it was part of the **canton of Vermand**, which was reorganized in France's territorial reforms.

**What type of government entity is Caulaincourt?**
Caulaincourt is a **commune**, the smallest administrative division in France, equivalent to a municipality. Communes have existed since the French Revolution (1789) and are responsible for local governance.

## Why It Matters
Caulaincourt matters as a microcosm of rural French history, particularly its resilience during World War I, as recognized by the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**. Small communes like Caulaincourt represent the backbone of France's local governance system, preserving regional identity and heritage. Its fluctuating population reflects broader demographic trends in rural France, including challenges like depopulation and aging communities. Additionally, its administrative ties to Aisne and the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin highlight the decentralized structure of French governance, where even the smallest villages play a role in national cohesion.

## Notable For
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: One of many French communes honored for their sacrifices during World War I.
- **Rural Demography**: Exemplifies the population dynamics of small French villages, with numbers hovering around 140 inhabitants.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the canton of Vermand until its dissolution in 2015, reflecting France's evolving territorial organization.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely located at 49.864444444444° N, 3.1061111111111° E, aiding in cartographic and historical research.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Caulaincourt is situated in the **Aisne department** of northern France, within the **Hauts-de-France region**. The commune lies at coordinates **49.864444444444° N, 3.1061111111111° E**, placing it in a rural area characterized by the agricultural landscapes typical of the region. It falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the **arrondissement of Saint-Quentin**, one of the five arrondissements in Aisne. Prior to March 2015, Caulaincourt was part of the **canton of Vermand**, a territorial division that was abolished during France's canton reorganization.

### Demographics
The population of Caulaincourt has experienced fluctuations over the years, with recorded figures including:
- **149 inhabitants** (highest recorded)
- **110 inhabitants** (lowest recorded)
- Recent counts: **144, 142, 143, 140, 138, 122, 111, 139, 134, 121**

These numbers reflect the demographic challenges faced by many rural French communes, including aging populations and migration to urban centers. The data spans multiple years, illustrating the village's stability despite broader trends of rural depopulation.

### Historical Significance
Caulaincourt was awarded the **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**, a French military decoration created on **April 2, 1915**, to honor towns and villages that endured significant destruction or demonstrated exceptional resistance during World War I. This award underscores the commune's role in the conflict, likely due to its proximity to the Western Front, where many battles were fought in the Aisne department. The decoration serves as a testament to the sacrifices made by its inhabitants during the war.

### Administrative Structure
As a **commune of France**, Caulaincourt operates under the legal framework established during the French Revolution in **1789**. Communes are the smallest administrative units in France, responsible for local services such as schools, roads, and public safety. Caulaincourt is governed by a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) led by a mayor (*maire*), elected by the residents.

The commune is part of the **Aisne department**, which was created on **March 4, 1790**, during the early phases of the French Revolution. The department is named after the Aisne River and is known for its historical sites, including World War I battlefields and medieval architecture.

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: The broader administrative region in which Caulaincourt is located, known for its historical and agricultural significance.
- **Arrondissement of Saint-Quentin**: The administrative district overseeing Caulaincourt, named after its largest city, Saint-Quentin.
- **Canton of Vermand**: The former canton to which Caulaincourt belonged until the 2015 territorial reforms.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: The military decoration awarded to Caulaincourt, symbolizing its contributions during World War I.

### Visual Representation
An image of Caulaincourt's town hall (*mairie*) is available under a **CC0 (public domain) license**, attributed to **Havang(nl)**. The photograph can be accessed via Wikimedia Commons and serves as a visual representation of the commune's local governance structure. The image URL is:
- **Full Image**: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG)
- **Thumbnail**: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG/960px-Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG/960px-Caulaincourt_%28Aisne%29_mairie.JPG)

### Additional Context
Caulaincourt's Wikipedia article, titled **"Caulaincourt, Aisne,"** provides further details about its history, geography, and administrative role. The commune's **Wikidata entry** includes 45 sitelinks, indicating its presence across multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other databases.

The **commune system** in France ensures that even small villages like Caulaincourt have a degree of autonomy in local governance, contributing to the country's decentralized administrative model. This system allows for tailored responses to local needs, from infrastructure maintenance to cultural preservation.

## 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)