# Colpo

> commune in Morbihan, France

**Wikidata**: [Q69527](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q69527)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colpo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/colpo

## Summary
Colpo is a commune located in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France. It is a small administrative division within the larger framework of French local governance, situated in the arrondissement of Vannes and part of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération metropolitan area.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune (municipality) in France
- **Location**: Morbihan department, Brittany, France
- **Coordinates**: 47.819166666667°N, -2.8102777777778°E
- **Population**: 2,265 (most recent data point)
- **Historical Population**: 2,237 (2020), 2,264 (2019), 2,222 (2018), 2,176 (2017), 1,231 (earlier data)
- **Administrative Structure**:
  - Part of the Morbihan department (created March 4, 1790)
  - Within the arrondissement of Vannes
  - Member of Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération (established January 1, 2017)
- **Official Website**: https://www.colpo.fr/
- **Aliases**: Known locally as "Kolpoù"
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 41 references across languages
- **French Commune System**: Established in 1789 as part of France's municipal organization

## FAQs

**Where exactly is Colpo located?**
Colpo is situated in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France, at coordinates 47.819166666667°N, -2.8102777777778°E. It lies within the arrondissement of Vannes and is part of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération metropolitan area.

**What is the population of Colpo?**
The most recent population figure for Colpo is 2,265 residents. Historical data shows fluctuations, with earlier counts including 2,237 (2020), 2,264 (2019), and lower numbers in previous decades (e.g., 1,231 in earlier records).

**What administrative divisions is Colpo part of?**
Colpo is a commune within the Morbihan department (created in 1790), which is part of the Brittany region. It falls under the arrondissement of Vannes and is a member of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, an intercommunal structure established in 2017.

**How does Colpo fit into France's local governance system?**
As a commune, Colpo represents the smallest administrative division in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789. It operates under the broader framework of the Morbihan department and the Vannes arrondissement, while also participating in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération for regional cooperation.

**What is the significance of the name "Kolpoù"?**
"Kolpoù" is a local alias or alternative name for Colpo, likely derived from Breton, the historic Celtic language of Brittany. This reflects the region's cultural heritage and bilingual traditions.

## Why It Matters
Colpo matters as a microcosm of France's decentralized governance system, illustrating how small municipalities function within larger administrative structures. As part of the Morbihan department and the Vannes agglomeration, it contributes to regional planning, economic development, and cultural preservation in Brittany. Its existence reflects the enduring importance of local self-governance in France, a system established during the Revolution that balances national unity with regional identity. The commune's population trends also provide insights into rural demographic changes in 21st-century France.

## Notable For
- **Historical Continuity**: As a commune established under France's 1789 municipal system, representing over two centuries of local governance
- **Breton Cultural Identity**: Known locally as "Kolpoù," reflecting the region's Celtic linguistic heritage
- **Regional Cooperation**: Active participation in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération since its 2017 establishment
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintaining a population around 2,200 residents in recent years despite broader rural depopulation trends
- **Administrative Efficiency**: Operating as part of France's highly decentralized system of 35,000+ communes

## Body

### Administrative Structure and Governance
Colpo operates as a commune within France's multi-layered administrative system. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution to replace the previous parish-based organization. As a commune, Colpo has its own municipal council and mayor, responsible for local services such as schools, roads, and public safety.

The commune is situated within the Morbihan department (département), which was created on March 4, 1790, as one of the original 83 departments of France. Morbihan is part of the Brittany region (région), one of France's 18 administrative regions. Within the department, Colpo falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Vannes, one of the three arrondissements in Morbihan.

Since January 1, 2017, Colpo has been a member of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, an intercommunal structure (communauté d'agglomération) that coordinates services and development across multiple communes. This agglomeration includes the city of Vannes and surrounding municipalities, facilitating regional planning, economic development, and shared services.

### Geography and Location
Colpo is located at coordinates 47.819166666667°N, -2.8102777777778°E in southwestern Brittany. The commune's territory reflects the typical landscape of the Morbihan department, which is known for its coastal areas along the Gulf of Morbihan (Golfe du Morbihan) and inland rural areas.

The Morbihan department is characterized by its diverse geography, including the famous Gulf of Morbihan with its numerous islands, as well as inland areas with forests, farmland, and small towns. Colpo's specific location places it within this broader geographical context, contributing to the department's mix of coastal and inland communities.

### Demographics and Population Trends
Colpo's population has shown relative stability in recent years, with the most current figure at 2,265 residents. Historical data reveals some fluctuations:
- 2,265 (most recent)
- 2,237 (2020)
- 2,264 (2019)
- 2,222 (2018)
- 2,176 (2017)
- Earlier counts show lower populations (e.g., 1,231 in previous decades)

This demographic pattern suggests that Colpo has maintained its population better than many rural French communes, which often experience significant depopulation. The stability may be attributed to its proximity to Vannes, the departmental capital, and its inclusion in the Vannes agglomeration community.

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity
The commune's alternative name, "Kolpoù," reflects Brittany's strong cultural heritage. This Breton name indicates the historical presence of the Breton language in the region. While French is the official language of administration, the persistence of Breton place names and the use of "Kolpoù" locally demonstrate the ongoing cultural significance of Brittany's Celtic roots.

This linguistic duality is characteristic of many Breton communes, where both French and Breton names are often used interchangeably in local contexts. The preservation of such names contributes to the cultural identity of the region and its distinction within France.

### Historical Context
As a commune established under the 1789 municipal system, Colpo represents the enduring structure of French local governance. The commune system was created to replace the feudal parish system and establish uniform local administration across France. This system has persisted through various political regimes, including monarchies, republics, and empires.

The Morbihan department itself was created during the early years of the French Revolution, reflecting the revolutionary government's efforts to rationalize administration by creating departments of roughly equal size and population. Colpo's continued existence as a commune demonstrates the resilience of this administrative structure over more than two centuries.

### Economic and Regional Role
While specific economic data for Colpo is not provided in the source material, its inclusion in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération suggests it benefits from regional economic cooperation. The agglomeration community likely coordinates economic development initiatives, tourism promotion (particularly around the Gulf of Morbihan), and infrastructure projects that benefit member communes like Colpo.

The commune's proximity to Vannes, a regional economic hub, provides access to services, employment opportunities, and transportation networks that support its population and local economy.

### Infrastructure and Services
As a French commune, Colpo is responsible for providing basic municipal services to its residents. These typically include:
- Primary education (écoles maternelles and élémentaires)
- Local road maintenance
- Waste collection and recycling
- Public safety (often in coordination with national police or gendarmerie)
- Local cultural and recreational facilities

The commune likely coordinates some of these services with the Vannes agglomeration community, particularly for larger infrastructure projects or specialized services that benefit from economies of scale.

### Relationship to Other Administrative Entities
Colpo's administrative relationships illustrate the layered structure of French governance:
1. **Commune Level**: Direct local administration
2. **Arrondissement Level**: Part of the arrondissement of Vannes (one of three in Morbihan)
3. **Department Level**: Within the Morbihan department (one of four in Brittany)
4. **Regional Level**: Part of the Brittany region
5. **Intercommunal Level**: Member of Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération

This multi-level structure allows for both local autonomy and regional coordination, a balance that is characteristic of France's administrative system.

### Digital Presence and Information Access
The commune maintains an official website at https://www.colpo.fr/, which serves as the primary digital interface for residents and visitors. This website likely provides information about local services, administrative procedures, cultural events, and municipal news.

The commune's Wikidata entry (with 41 sitelinks) indicates it has digital presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia, suggesting international recognition or interest, particularly among Breton cultural communities or French administrative researchers.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)