# Écoust-Saint-Mein

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1031560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1031560)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Écoust-Saint-Mein)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/coust-saint-mein

## Summary
Écoust-Saint-Mein is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. It is part of the canton of Croisilles (until March 2015) and falls within the arrondissement of Arras. The municipality has a small population and is historically recognized for its award of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Écoust-Saint-Mein is situated in the Pas-de-Calais department of France.
- **Country**: France, a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with global territories.
- **Arrondissement**: Part of the arrondissement of Arras.
- **Canton**: Formerly part of the canton of Croisilles (until March 2015).
- **Population**: Ranged between 484 and 505 residents in recent years, with specific figures including 505 (2010), 496 (2011), 500 (2012), 491 (2013), 493 (2014), 492 (2015), 490 (2016), 487 (2017), 484 (2018), and 485 (2019).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.181944444444, Longitude 2.9102777777778.
- **Website**: [Mairie website](http://mairie.ecouststmein.free.fr)
- **Aliases**: Also known as Écoust-Lougastre.
- **Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for actions during World War I.
- **Type**: Commune, a territorial subdivision of France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 44 (as of the latest data).

## FAQs
**What is Écoust-Saint-Mein?**  
Écoust-Saint-Mein is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. It is a small rural municipality with a population of fewer than 500 residents.

**Where is Écoust-Saint-Mein located?**  
It is located in the Pas-de-Calais department, within the arrondissement of Arras, in the Hauts-de-France region of France.

**What is the population of Écoust-Saint-Mein?**  
The population has ranged from 484 to 505 between 2010 and 2019, with the most recent figure being 485 in 2019.

**What recognition has Écoust-Saint-Mein received?**  
The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration, for its actions during World War I.

**What is the official website for Écoust-Saint-Mein?**  
The official website is [http://mairie.ecouststmein.free.fr](http://mairie.ecouststmein.free.fr).

**What are the geographic coordinates of Écoust-Saint-Mein?**  
The commune is located at latitude 50.181944444444 and longitude 2.9102777777778.

**What administrative divisions does Écoust-Saint-Mein belong to?**  
It is part of the arrondissement of Arras and was formerly in the canton of Croisilles until March 2015.

## Why It Matters
Écoust-Saint-Mein represents a small but historically significant commune in northern France. Its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its role and sacrifice during World War I. As part of the broader administrative structure of France, it contributes to the cultural and demographic fabric of the Pas-de-Calais department and the Hauts-de-France region.

## Notable For
- **Historical Military Recognition**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military award.
- **Small Population**: Maintains a population under 500, characteristic of many rural French communes.
- **Geographic Location**: Situated in the historically and culturally rich Pas-de-Calais department.
- **Administrative Affiliation**: Part of the arrondissement of Arras, a key administrative center in northern France.
- **Historical Name**: Also known by the alias Écoust-Lougastre.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Écoust-Saint-Mein is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of France. This department is located in the Hauts-de-France region and has been in existence since March 4, 1790. The commune is situated within the arrondissement of Arras, an administrative district with historical significance and 29 sitelinks recorded. Until March 2015, Écoust-Saint-Mein was part of the canton of Croisilles, which has 15 sitelinks.

The geographic coordinates of Écoust-Saint-Mein are latitude 50.181944444444 and longitude 2.9102777777778, placing it in the northern part of France. The commune is part of the broader French territorial structure, which includes regions, departments, arrondissements, cantons, and communes.

### History and Recognition
Écoust-Saint-Mein was honored with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of bravery during World War I. This award highlights the commune's historical involvement and sacrifice during the conflict. The decoration is a symbol of national recognition and is associated with 17 sitelinks.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Écoust-Saint-Mein has remained relatively stable, ranging between 484 and 505 over the past decade:
- 2010: 505
- 2011: 496
- 2012: 500
- 2013: 491
- 2014: 493
- 2015: 492
- 2016: 490
- 2017: 487
- 2018: 484
- 2019: 485

This demographic profile is typical of small rural communes in France, where populations often fluctuate slightly but remain under 500 residents.

### Administration and Governance
As a commune of France, Écoust-Saint-Mein is part of the country's decentralized administrative system. Communes are the smallest administrative units in France and were formally established in 1789. The commune operates under the broader governance of the Pas-de-Calais department and the arrondissement of Arras. It formerly belonged to the canton of Croisilles, which was dissolved as part of France's 2015 cantonal reforms.

The official website for the commune is [http://mairie.ecouststmein.free.fr](http://mairie.ecouststmein.free.fr), which serves as a local information hub.

### Cultural and Historical Identity
Écoust-Saint-Mein is also known by the alias Écoust-Lougastre, indicating a possible historical or local variation in its name. This reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity often found in French communes, particularly in regions with strong regional identities.

The award of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 places the commune within a broader historical narrative of valor and national service during World War I. This recognition is not only a local honor but also part of France’s national memory and commemorative practices.

### Related Entities and Connections
- **France**: The overarching nation to which Écoust-Saint-Mein belongs, with a complex history dating back to the Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) and the First French Empire (1804).
- **Pas-de-Calais**: The department in which the commune is located, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Arras**: The administrative district overseeing the commune.
- **Canton of Croisilles**: Former administrative division to which the commune belonged until 2015.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: A military decoration awarded to the commune for its wartime contributions.

Écoust-Saint-Mein, while small, is emblematic of the thousands of communes that make up the French Republic, each with its own history, identity, and role within the nation’s administrative and cultural framework.

## 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. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=12465)
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)