# Donnay

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q548707](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q548707)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnay,_Calvados)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/donnay-q548707-2

## Summary
Donnay is a commune located in the Calvados department within the Normandy region of northwestern France. Situated in the arrondissement of Caen, it is a small French municipality with a population fluctuating between approximately 169 and 330 residents based on historical census data. The entity is geographically defined by coordinates at latitude 48.953611111111 and longitude -0.41722222222222.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Calvados department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Caen.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.953611111111, Longitude -0.41722222222222.
- **Country**: France.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Donnay, Calvados.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Calvados, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 44 (across various language Wikipedias).
- **Population Data Points**: 169, 172, 177, 189, 190, 200, 204, 240, 261, 272, 279, 289, 299, 302, 311, 318, 330.
- **Parent Entity Inception (Calvados)**: March 4, 1790.
- **Parent Entity Inception (Commune of France)**: Year 1789.
- **Parent Entity Inception (Arrondissement of Caen)**: Not specified in source, but linked as a Thing.
- **Parent Entity Inception (France)**: 843 AD (Treaty of Verdun/West Francia), 481 AD (Francia), 1804 (First French Empire).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Donnay?**
Donnay is classified as a commune, which serves as the lowest level of administrative division in France. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Calvados department and is specifically part of the arrondissement of Caen.

**Where is Donnay located geographically?**
The commune is situated in northwestern France within the Calvados department. Its precise geographic position is marked by the coordinates 48.953611111111° N latitude and -0.41722222222222° E longitude.

**How has the population of Donnay changed over time?**
Historical records indicate a fluctuating population for the commune, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 169 to a high of 330 residents. Specific data points include counts of 172, 177, 189, 190, 200, 204, 240, 261, 272, 279, 289, 299, 302, 311, and 318.

**What larger administrative entities does Donnay belong to?**
Donnay is a subdivision of the commune of France, a category established in 1789. It is located within the Calvados department, which was created on March 4, 1790, and is further organized under the arrondissement of Caen.

## Why It Matters
Donnay serves as a fundamental example of the French municipal system, illustrating the granular structure of local governance in the Calvados department. While small in scale, its existence as a distinct commune with specific coordinates and population metrics contributes to the comprehensive statistical and administrative mapping of France. It represents the continuity of the French territorial organization established during the Revolution, linking modern local administration to the historical creation of departments in 1790 and communes in 1789. Understanding Donnay provides insight into the demographic distribution and administrative hierarchy of rural Normandy.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by specific coordinates of 48.953611111111 N and -0.41722222222222 E.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: A constituent part of the arrondissement of Caen within the Calvados department.
- **Demographic Range**: Documented population variations spanning from 169 to 330 inhabitants across different census periods.
- **Historical Context**: Exists within a department (Calvados) founded on March 4, 1790, and a commune system dating back to 1789.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains a dedicated Wikipedia entry titled "Donnay, Calvados" with 44 international sitelinks.
- **Regional Identity**: A specific entity within the broader context of the French Republic, which traces its origins to the Treaty of Verdun in 843.

## Body

### Administrative Classification and Hierarchy
Donnay is officially classified as a commune, which is the primary territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This status places it within the broader framework of the "commune of France," an entity type that originated in the year 1789. Administratively, the commune is situated within the Calvados department, a division of France that was established on March 4, 1790. Furthermore, Donnay falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Caen, another key administrative "Thing" within the French state structure. The country itself, France, serves as the overarching sovereign entity, with its origins traced to the Kingdom of Francia in 481, the establishment of West Francia via the Treaty of Verdun in 843, and the proclamation of the First French Empire in 1804.

### Geographic Location and Coordinates
The physical location of Donnay is precisely defined by its geographic coordinates. The commune is situated at a latitude of 48.953611111111 and a longitude of -0.41722222222222. These coordinates place the entity within the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France. As a commune in France, it is part of a nation that spans multiple continents through its overseas territories, though Donnay itself is located in metropolitan Europe. The entity is linked to the country of France, which shares borders with nations such as Belgium, Germany, and Spain, and possesses a vast Exclusive Economic Zone.

### Demographic Data and Population Statistics
The population of Donnay is characterized by a series of specific data points reflecting historical census variations. Recorded population figures for the commune include 169, 172, 177, 189, 190, 200, 204, 240, 261, 272, 279, 289, 299, 302, 311, 318, and 330. These figures demonstrate the fluctuating nature of the commune's demographic profile over time. While the specific years for each count are not detailed in the provided source, the range from 169 to 330 indicates a small, rural community typical of the Calvados department. This data contributes to the broader understanding of population distribution in the arrondissement of Caen and the department of Calvados.

### Digital Presence and Knowledge Base Metadata
In the context of digital knowledge repositories, Donnay is represented with specific metadata. The entity has a Wikipedia title designated as "Donnay, Calvados" to distinguish it from other potential locations. Its Wikidata description is explicitly defined as "commune in Calvados, France." The entity currently holds a sitelink count of 44, indicating its presence and recognition across 44 different language versions of Wikipedia. This digital footprint ensures that the commune is accessible to a global audience seeking information on French municipalities. The entity is categorized as a "Thing" in knowledge graphs, linking it to related entities like the arrondissement of Caen and the department of Calvados.

### Historical Context of Parent Entities
The existence of Donnay is inextricably linked to the historical timeline of its parent administrative bodies. The commune system in France, of which Donnay is a part, was formalized in 1789. The Calvados department, which contains Donnay, was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The arrondissement of Caen serves as the intermediate administrative layer. These structures exist within the nation of France, a country with a complex history including the founding of West Francia in 843, the First French Empire in 1804, and the current Fifth Republic. The administrative continuity from 1789 to the present day underscores the stability of the French local governance model in which Donnay operates.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://archives.calvados.fr/classificationScheme/11d99609-7d05-4864-9e3e-7f744d9c2753)
5. répertoire géographique des communes
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)