# Croix-Fonsomme

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q849346](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q849346)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix-Fonsomme)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/croix-fonsomme

## Summary
Croix-Fonsomme is a commune located in the Aisne department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is a small municipality situated in the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin, characterized by a population fluctuating between approximately 180 and 300 residents in recent decades. The entity is historically recognized for receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration awarded for valor during World War I.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Aisne department, arrondissement of Saint-Quentin, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.920833333333, Longitude 3.4022222222222.
- **Population Data**: Historical records show values of 230, 249, 256, 257, 238, 242, 274, 293, 210, 220, 229, 225, 218, 198, 192, 187, and 183.
- **Military Honor**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (established April 2, 1915).
- **Administrative Context**: Part of the commune of France system established in 1789.
- **Department Origin**: Aisne department created on March 4, 1790.
- **Image Attribution**: Photograph of the former station ("l'ancienne gare") taken by Havang(nl).
- **Image License**: Public Domain (CC0).
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Aisne, France".
- **Wikipedia Title**: Croix-Fonsomme.
- **Sitelink Count**: 45 language links.
- **Image URL**: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Croix-Fonsomme_%28Aisne%29_l%27ancienne_gare.jpg
- **Thumbnail URL**: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Croix-Fonsomme_%28Aisne%29_l%27ancienne_gare.jpg/960px-Croix-Fonsomme_%28Aisne%29_l%27ancienne_gare.jpg
- **Commons File**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACroix-Fonsomme%20%28Aisne%29%20l%27ancienne_gare.jpg

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Croix-Fonsomme located within the French administrative hierarchy?**
Croix-Fonsomme is a commune situated in the Aisne department, which is part of the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin. It falls under the broader territorial subdivision system of France established in 1789.

**What historical recognition has the commune received?**
The municipality was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, to honor acts of heroism during World War I.

**What is the population trend of Croix-Fonsomme?**
The population has varied over time, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 183 to a high of 293 across different census years. Recent data points include values such as 230, 256, 242, and 218.

**What visual documentation exists for the commune?**
A notable image of the former railway station ("l'ancienne gare") is available, photographed by Havang(nl) and hosted on Wikimedia Commons under a public domain license.

**How is Croix-Fonsomme connected to the broader French state?**
As a commune, it is a fundamental territorial subdivision of France, linked to the Aisne department (founded in 1790) and the national framework of the French Republic.

## Why It Matters
Croix-Fonsomme serves as a microcosm of French local history and administrative structure, representing the thousands of small communes that form the backbone of the French Republic. Its significance lies in its specific recognition for wartime sacrifice, evidenced by the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, which marks the community's contribution to the national effort during the First World War. For researchers and historians, the entity provides a concrete example of the demographic fluctuations typical of rural French municipalities, with population data spanning from the late 19th century to the present. The preservation of its historical infrastructure, such as the former railway station captured in public domain imagery, offers tangible links to the region's transportation and economic past.

## Notable For
- **Military Distinction**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious award for valor.
- **Administrative Status**: A recognized commune within the Aisne department and Saint-Quentin arrondissement.
- **Demographic Record**: Possesses a detailed historical population dataset ranging from 183 to 293 residents.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (49.920833333333 N, 3.4022222222222 E).
- **Visual Heritage**: Features a documented former railway station ("l'ancienne gare") available in public domain media.
- **Wikidata Presence**: Maintains a robust digital footprint with 45 international language sitelinks.
- **Historical Continuity**: Exists within the administrative framework established by the French Revolution in 1789.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Croix-Fonsomme is geographically positioned in the Aisne department of France. Its precise location is marked by the coordinates latitude 49.920833333333 and longitude 3.4022222222222. Administratively, it belongs to the arrondissement of Saint-Quentin. As a commune, it is a standard territorial subdivision of France, a system that originated in 1789. The Aisne department itself was established on March 4, 1790, serving as the primary administrative container for the municipality.

### Demographics and Population History
The commune has experienced fluctuating population numbers over recorded history. Data points indicate a range of residents, with specific counts including 230, 249, 256, 257, 238, 242, 274, 293, 210, 220, 229, 225, 218, 198, 192, 187, and 183. These figures reflect the demographic shifts common to small rural communities in the region. The population peaked at 293 in one recorded instance and dipped to a low of 183 in another, illustrating the dynamic nature of local residency.

### Historical Recognition and Awards
A defining characteristic of Croix-Fonsomme is its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of bravery during World War I. The award signifies that the commune, or its inhabitants, played a role in the conflict that warranted national honor. This distinction connects the local history of Croix-Fonsomme to the broader narrative of French military history and the global impact of the Great War.

### Infrastructure and Visual Heritage
The commune is visually documented through a photograph of its former railway station, known locally as "l'ancienne gare." This image was captured by the photographer Havang(nl) and is hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The file is licensed under CC0, placing it in the public domain and allowing for unrestricted use. The image serves as a historical record of the commune's transportation infrastructure, which likely played a vital role in its economic development before the station's closure.

### Digital Presence and Metadata
Croix-Fonsomme maintains a structured digital identity within knowledge bases. It is described in Wikidata as a "commune in Aisne, France" and holds the Wikipedia title "Croix-Fonsomme." The entity has a sitelink count of 45, indicating its presence across 45 different language versions of Wikipedia. The primary image associated with the entity is available at a specific URL on Wikimedia, with a corresponding thumbnail version optimized for display. These metadata elements ensure the commune is discoverable and accurately categorized in global information 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. Source
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)