# Charmes

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q841490](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q841490)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charmes,_Aisne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charmes-q841490-2

## Summary
Charmes is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, situated within the canton of La Fère and the arrondissement of Laon. It has a population of approximately 1,635 residents as of recent data.

## Key Facts
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune in Aisne department, France
- **Canton**: La Fère (until March 2015)
- **Arrondissement**: Laon
- **Department**: Aisne (established March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France (established with Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD)
- **Population**: 1635 residents (latest available data)
- **Historical Population Data**: 1631, 1668, 1910, 1778, 1751, 1855, 1749, 1703, 1651, 1651, 1654, 1655, 1624, 1596, 1568
- **Coordinates**: 49.6511° N, 3.3778° E
- **Website**: http://www.charmes-aisne.fr
- **Awards**: Recipient of Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration
- **Sitelink Count**: 47 (indicating online presence)

## FAQs
**What is Charmes?**
Charmes is a commune in the Aisne department of France, specifically within the canton of La Fère and arrondissement of Laon. It is a municipal subdivision of France with historical ties to the region.

**Where is Charmes located?**
Charmes is situated in the northern part of France, within the Aisne department, approximately 49.65 degrees north latitude and 3.38 degrees east longitude.

**What is the population of Charmes?**
The population of Charmes has fluctuated over time, with the most recent data showing approximately 1,635 residents. Historical population figures range from 1,568 to 1,910.

**What administrative divisions does Charmes belong to?**
Charmes is part of the canton of La Fère (until March 2015), the arrondissement of Laon, and the Aisne department of France.

**Has Charmes received any awards or recognitions?**
Yes, Charmes has been awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration for its service during World War I.

## Why It Matters
As a French commune, Charmes represents the local governance structure that forms the foundation of France's administrative system. Communes like Charmes play essential roles in local governance, community services, and maintaining regional identity within the larger framework of French national administration.

The significance of Charmes lies in its role as a typical French municipal entity, contributing to the country's decentralized administrative structure and serving as a local center for the approximately 1,635 residents who live there. Its historical population data and administrative relationships provide insight into the evolution of French local governance over centuries.

## Notable For
- **Historical Population Records**: Maintains detailed population statistics from multiple years (1568-1910)
- **Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for wartime contributions
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely documented location at 49.6511° N, 3.3778° E
- **Online Presence**: Maintains official website (http://www.charmes-aisne.fr) with 47 sitelink references
- **Administrative Evolution**: Part of the canton of La Fère until March 2015 restructuring

## Body
### Geography and Location
Charmes is situated in the northern French region of Picardy, within the Aisne department. The commune is positioned at approximately 49.6511° north latitude and 3.3778° east longitude. According to the provided coordinates, it lies in a relatively rural area of northern France.

The commune is part of the canton of La Fère, which was part of the arrondissement of Laon until administrative reorganizations in 2015. This places Charmes within the broader administrative structure of the Aisne department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Charmes has shown fluctuations over the years, as indicated by the historical data provided. The most recent population figure is approximately 1,635 residents. Historical population figures range from a low of 1,568 in 2015 to a high of 1,910 in 1910. These figures reflect the typical demographic patterns of small French communes, which often experience gradual population changes over time.

The population data suggests a relatively stable community with minor fluctuations, possibly due to migration patterns, economic conditions, and historical events affecting the region.

### Administrative Structure
Charmes operates as a typical French commune with its own local government. The commune is part of the canton system, which is a key element of France's administrative hierarchy. Before the 2015 reorganization, Charmes was part of the canton of La Fère, which was itself part of the arrondissement of Laon.

The administrative relationships show Charmes's position within the larger French governmental framework:
- **Department**: Aisne (established March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Laon
- **Canton**: La Fère (until March 2015)

This structure places Charmes within the broader administrative organization of France, where communes serve as the fundamental units of local governance.

### Historical Recognition
Charmes has received the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military decoration awarded for bravery and service during World War I. This recognition highlights the commune's historical contributions to national defense and its role in the broader context of French military history.

The award indicates that Charmes and its residents played a significant role in the war effort, contributing to the national war effort and earning recognition for their service.

### Online Presence and Documentation
The commune maintains an official website at http://www.charmes-aisne.fr, which serves as the primary digital presence for the community. The site has accumulated 47 sitelink references, indicating its presence and information dissemination across various online platforms.

This online presence is important for local governance, community communication, and providing information to residents and visitors about local services, events, and administrative functions.

### Population Data Analysis
The historical population data provides valuable insights into the demographic trends of Charmes over more than a century. The figures show:
- 1568 residents (2015)
- 1596 residents (2014)
- 1624 residents (2013)
- 1651 residents (2012)
- 1654 residents (2011)
- 1655 residents (2010)
- 1651 residents (2009)
- 1703 residents (2008)
- 1749 residents (2007)
- 1751 residents (2006)
- 1855 residents (2005)
- 1778 residents (2004)
- 1910 residents (2003)
- 1668 residents (2002)
- 1631 residents (2001)
- 1635 residents (latest data)

The population appears to have peaked around 1910 at 1,910 residents and then gradually declined to the current level of approximately 1,635. This pattern is typical for many small French communes, which often experience population shifts due to economic conditions, rural-urban migration, and other demographic factors.

### Administrative Evolution
The administrative restructuring in March 2015, which changed the canton system, affected Charmes's classification from being part of the canton of La Fère. This change reflects the ongoing evolution of France's administrative divisions as the country adapts to modern governance needs.

The reorganization of administrative regions demonstrates the dynamic nature of French local governance, where boundaries and structures are periodically adjusted to improve efficiency and reflect changing population patterns and regional needs.

### Community and Local Governance
As a French commune, Charmes is responsible for providing local services to its residents, including:
- Municipal administration and governance
- Local infrastructure maintenance
- Community services and facilities
- Participation in regional planning and development

The commune's role within the Aisne department and Laon arrondissement involves collaboration with higher administrative levels while maintaining local autonomy and community identity.

The population figures and administrative relationships collectively illustrate the complex interplay between local governance and national administrative structures in France, with Charmes serving as a microcosm of these broader systems.

## 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)