# Champien

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q58874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champien)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/champien

## Summary
Champien is a commune located in the Somme department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Montdidier. It is distinguished by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration awarded for valor during the First World War.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Somme department, arrondissement of Montdidier, France.
- **Coordinates**: 49.694444444444 latitude, 2.86 longitude.
- **Population Counts**: 271, 265, 277, 276, 283, 284, 285, 286, 279, 272.
- **Military Award**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (instituted April 2, 1915).
- **Administrative Inception (Commune)**: 1789.
- **Department Inception (Somme)**: March 4, 1790.
- **Country**: France (inception: Treaty of Verdun, 843 AD; First French Empire, 1804).
- **Sitelink Count**: 41.

## FAQs
**Where is Champien located?**
Champien is situated in the Somme department of France, within the arrondissement of Montdidier. Its geographic coordinates are 49.694444444444°N latitude and 2.86°E longitude.

**What is the administrative status of Champien?**
It is a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities that was established in 1789. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Somme department, which was created on March 4, 1790.

**Has Champien received any notable honors?**
Yes, the commune has been awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration was created on April 2, 1915, to recognize units and individuals for service during World War I.

**What is the population trend for Champien?**
Recorded population figures for the commune include 271, 265, 277, 276, 283, 284, 285, 286, 279, and 272, reflecting small fluctuations in its number of inhabitants over time.

## Why It Matters
Champien holds significance as a historical entity within the Somme department, a region deeply marked by the conflicts of the 20th century. Its award of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlights the commune's direct involvement and sacrifice during World War I, serving as a testament to the resilience of its community in the face of military aggression. As a commune, it represents the fundamental administrative unit of local governance in France, playing a role in the decentralized administration of the French Republic. Its existence within the arrondissement of Montdidier ties it to the broader historical and administrative fabric of the Hauts-de-France region.

## Notable For
- **Military Honor**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for actions during the First World War.
- **Administrational Longevity**: Status as a commune established during the initial reorganization of French territories in 1789.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Located in the Somme department, a area historically significant for its role in various European conflicts.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Champien is defined by its specific geographic coordinates at 49.694444444444° latitude and 2.86° longitude. It is administratively located within the arrondissement of Montdidier, which is part of the Somme department. The Somme department itself is situated in the northern region of metropolitan France.

The commune is part of the broader French territory, which encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometers. Metropolitan France, where Champien is located, shares borders with eight countries: Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland. The country's geography is diverse, featuring the highest point in Western Europe, Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters), and the lowest point, Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters). France also possesses overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica, granting it a global presence across multiple continents and time zones.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune of France, Champien is part of the country's foundational administrative structure established in 1789. Communes serve as the smallest level of administrative division in the French Republic. The Somme department, in which Champien resides, was instituted on March 4, 1790, following the French Revolution.

France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The executive branch is shared between the President of the Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister, currently Sébastien Lecornu. The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, with Somme falling within the metropolitan area. France is a founding member of the European Union (March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since October 24, 1945).

### Demographics and Population
Champien has experienced minor fluctuations in its population, with recorded data points including 271, 265, 277, 276, 283, 284, 285, 286, 279, and 272 inhabitants. This places it within the demographic framework of France, which had an estimated national population of 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025.

The broader French society is highly urbanized, with an urban population of approximately 55.4 million compared to a rural population of 12.5 million (as of 2022). The country boasts a life expectancy of 82 years and a "Very High" Human Development Index (0.903 in 2021). The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are also recognized.

### History and Military Recognition
Champien is notably recognized for receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This military decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, by the French state to honor units and communes that demonstrated acts of bravery or resistance during the First World War. This award links the commune to the broader military history of France, which has been a major European power since the Treaty of Verdun established West Francia in 843 AD.

France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960, and is a leading member of NATO (since April 4, 1949). The nation has undergone significant regime changes throughout its history, including the establishment of the First French Empire in 1804 and the Vichy France regime during World War II, before establishing the current Fifth Republic on October 4, 1958.

### Economy and Infrastructure
While specific economic data for Champien is not detailed, the commune operates within the framework of the French economy, which has a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022). The national government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The currency used is the Euro (EUR), though CFP Francs are utilized in overseas territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

Infrastructure standards in France include driving on the right-hand side of the road and a metric system of measurement. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. The country observes Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00), with various time zones applicable to overseas territories. The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

### Symbols and Culture
Champien shares in the national symbols and cultural heritage of France. The national flag is the Tricolore (blue, white, red), and the motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity). The national anthem is "La Marseillaise."

Public holidays observed in the commune include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). France is renowned globally for its cultural contributions, including being home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and being a top tourist destination.

## 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 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)